This dish can be prepared on a charcoal grill or in a cast-iron pan or griddle. Just make sure, in either case, that the temperature is good and hot, so the calamari cook very quickly. For easy handling, especially on the grill, thread the calamari bodies onto a skewer—one or two per skewer, depending on the size. Thread the tentacles onto a separate skewer without crowding them, since they will need a few additional minutes to cook.

　　

Ingredients

makes 6 servings

　　8 medium squid (about 3 pounds)

　　1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling over the cooked squid if you like

　　6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

　　1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper

　　Chopped fresh Italian parsley

　　

Step 1

Clean calamari according to the directions on page 40, leaving the skin on if you like (as I do).

　　

Step 2

Toss the cleaned calamari bodies and tentacles, 1/4 cup olive oil, the garlic, thyme, salt, and crushed red pepper together in a bowl until the calamari are coated. Cover the bowl, and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour or up to overnight.

　　

Step 3

Prepare a charcoal grill well ahead, so you have hot, glowing coals. Or heat a wide cast-iron skillet or griddle over high heat until a drop of water bounces and sizzles. Lay the squid onto the grill or in the skillet. Set a heavy skillet on top of the calamari to weight them down so as much of them as possible makes contact with the hot grill or skillet. This makes it easier for the calamari to cook evenly and brown well. Cook, turning once, until golden on both sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a warm platter and drizzle with additional extra-virgin olive oil, if you like. Sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley and serve immediately.

　　From Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Copyright © 2001 by A La Carte Communications and Tutti a Tavola, LLC. Published by arrangement with Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of The Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.Buy the full book from Amazon.