How to Make Perfect Stuffed Calamari (Sicilian Style)

pancetta

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: prosciutto

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while prosciutto offers a similar flavor.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds umami, while pecorino is often less expensive.

Wash the calamari in cold water and remove any remaining plastic bone if necessary.

Chop the tentacles of the calamari into pieces larger than breadcrumbs.

Add lemon zest from one lemon to the chopped tentacles.

Juice half a lemon and add it to the tentacles along with some salt.

Set the calamari aside and prepare the filling.

In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated pecorino cheese, chopped parsley, and pepper by hand.

Juice three halves of lemons and add the juice to the breadcrumb mixture.

Crush one garlic clove and add it to the mixture.

Add about 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and mix all the ingredients together.

Add the marinated tentacles to the breadcrumb mixture and mix until combined, ensuring the filling is moist.

Fill each calamari tube with the filling, leaving one-third of the tube empty to prevent bursting during cooking.

Use a toothpick to seal the ends of the stuffed calamari.

Place the stuffed calamari in a tray lined with baking paper, arranging them in opposite directions.

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over each calamari and sprinkle with panko for crunch.

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in the tray with the calamari, along with the unpeeled garlic clove.

Drizzle about 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.

Bake the calamari in the oven at 180°C for 40 minutes.

After 40 minutes, remove the calamari from the oven and let them rest on a chopping board.

Remove the garlic clove and mash the roasted tomatoes to release their juices, then pour over the calamari.

Add fresh basil to the tomatoes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens