An Easy Yet Impressive Dish
Bright, buttery, and packed with Mediterranean flavour, this Patagonian Squid Piccata is a fresh take on a classic Italian-style dish. Featuring tender Patagonian squid in a lemony butter sauce tossed through linguine, this recipe is ideal for easy weeknight dinners or relaxed weekend entertaining. Pescaluna’s Patagonian squid is sea-harvested and frozen at sea to lock in freshness, making it a reliable, high-quality choice for home cooks across South Africa.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
900g Pescaluna Patagonian squid, cleaned, with tentacles
5 tbsp butter, divided
280g linguine (or pasta of choice)
2 lemons (one sliced, one juiced)
240ml chicken stock
25g freshly grated parmesan
30g freshly chopped parsley
30g thinly sliced red onion
240ml reserved pasta water
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make Patagonian Squid Piccata
1. Sear the Squid
Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season squid with salt and pepper and sear for about 6 minutes until lightly blistered.
Remove from pan and slice into 1.5 cm rings. Set aside.
2. Char the Lemon
In the same pan, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter.
Sear lemon slices on both sides until lightly charred. Remove and set aside.
3. Build the Sauce
Add chicken stock, lemon juice, and parsley to the pan.
Simmer gently for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
4. Cook the Pasta & Combine
Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente.
Using tongs, transfer pasta directly into the sauce, reserving 240ml pasta water.
5. Finish the Dish
Remove pan from heat.
Stir in parmesan, sliced squid, and red onion.
Gradually add reserved pasta water until a silky, light sauce forms.
What to Serve With Patagonian Squid Piccata
• Crusty bread or garlic ciabatta
• Simple rocket or green leaf salad
• Roasted cherry tomatoes
• Chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon
Tips for the Best Squid Piccata
• Do not overcook squid to keep it tender
• Pat squid dry before searing for better caramelisation
• Use pasta water gradually for perfect sauce consistency
• Thaw frozen squid fully and drain before cooking
• Taste and adjust lemon and salt at the end
Cooking with Quality, Sustainable Seafood
Pescaluna’s Patagonian squid is responsibly sea-harvested and frozen at sea to preserve freshness, texture, and flavour. Based in Cape Town, Pescaluna supplies premium seafood to homes and restaurants across South Africa. Shop online or visit us in-store to find Patagonian squid and other high-quality frozen and fresh seafood.
