Pasta nera, this is what black pasta is called in Italy. Pasta with cuttlefish ink does not cause bewilderment among Italian gourmets and belongs to the category of dietary flour products. Healthy, high in fiber, they have taken their rightful place on the menu of the largest restaurants in the world.
What is "cuttlefish" and where does ink come from
Cuttlefish are large molluscs known to mankind for a long time. At first, clam meat got on the table, later people learned how to get ink and use it for writing. At that time, the use of ink in cooking was out of the question.
Cuttlefish ink is obtained from a bag located between the insides of the clam. This ingredient is common in the Adriatic and Mediterranean countries. The ink goes on sale in packaged form, closed 4 g packs are frozen and stored at sub-zero temperatures. Cooks use 1-2 sachets to prepare one portion. Often on the counter you can find glass jars or bottles with thick ink paste, packaged in 500 g each.
Secrets of culinary masterpieces
Pasta with ink has not only a piquant taste, but also a very original look when served. The dough for such pasta is kneaded in the same way as for ordinary pasta. In the process of kneading, ink is added to the mass of flour, eggs and water. You can also prepare a paste of an unusual black color at home, for this, for 1 kg of flour, take 6-7 chicken eggs and 16 g of ink, a little white dry wine and a pinch of salt. Knead a tight dough, roll into a thin crust and cut.
In an industrial setting, the dough is passed through a pasta machine. On store shelves, you can find ready-made pasta that only requires cooking. However, dry products have one significant drawback - they do not smell like the sea, but they are still tasty and healthy.
Ink pasta is boiled in plenty of water and used according to the recipe. The perfect duet with pasta will be tuna, seafood, thick tomato and creamy sauces. Dry wine and Parmesan cheese will help to emphasize the taste. It is rarely possible to combine ink with meat, with the exception of chicken, which is used in the preparation of complex Spanish paella.
Is there any benefit?
Pasta with cuttlefish ink is not only tasty, but also healthy. In small quantities, the substance is included in medications aimed at combating insomnia, bronchitis, neuroses, mental disorders, menstrual irregularities and even herpes. Such dishes are indicated for those who strive to improve metabolism and care about cholesterol levels.
100 g of ink contains proteins - 16, 78, fats - 0, 79, carbohydrates - 0, 93. The total calorie content is 79 kcal.
