Zesty Mediterranean Stuffed Squid Recipe: Sea-Fresh Magic

Mediterranean stuffed squid offers a delightful culinary journey through coastal flavors and vibrant ingredients.

Delicate marine proteins enhance into a remarkable dish bursting with regional character and aromatic spices.

Tender seafood becomes an exquisite canvas for herb-infused fillings that dance with Mediterranean zest.

Subtle nuances of garlic, parsley, and olive oil weave through each carefully crafted bite.

Culinary traditions blend seamlessly, creating a sensory experience that transports you to sun-drenched shorelines.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe elevates simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Eager food enthusiasts will find themselves captivated by the complex layers of taste and texture.

Perfect Pairings for This Stuffed Seafood Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Assyrtiko from Greece or a vibrant Vermentino from Italy to complement the delicate seafood and cut through the rich tomato sauce.
• Mediterranean Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, crusty sourdough or traditional ciabatta to soak up the flavorful sauce and add textural contrast to the tender stuffed squid.
• Fresh Herb Salad Side: Create a light salad with arugula, fresh parsley, mint, and a lemon vinaigrette to provide a bright, tangy counterpoint to the hearty squid dish.
• Chilled Ouzo Aperitif: Start the meal with a small glass of traditional Greek anise-flavored spirit to enhance the Mediterranean dining experience and prepare the palate for the rich seafood.

Creative Takes on Mediterranean Stuffed Squid

• Spicy Mediterranean Squid: Amp up the heat by adding red chili flakes to the stuffing and sauce. Incorporate diced jalapeños or a dash of harissa paste for an extra kick that transforms the dish.
• Herbed Mediterranean Delight: Elevate the flavor profile by mixing fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and dill into the rice stuffing. Sprinkle additional chopped herbs on top before serving for a vibrant, aromatic touch.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Swap: Replace squid with large bell peppers or zucchini boats. Use quinoa instead of rice and add extra vegetables like eggplant or mushrooms to create a hearty vegetarian alternative that maintains the original dish's Mediterranean essence.
• Seafood Mediterranean Fusion: Experiment by mixing chopped shrimp or crab meat into the original squid leg stuffing. This variation adds depth and creates a more complex seafood experience while keeping the core Mediterranean cooking style intact.

What Makes Mediterranean Stuffed Squid So Special

• Savor Mediterranean Seafood Magic: Dive into a culinary adventure that transforms humble squid into a luxurious, flavor-packed dish bursting with fresh Mediterranean ingredients.
• Master Surprising Cooking Techniques: Learn an elegant stuffing method that turns simple seafood into a restaurant-quality meal, with step-by-step techniques that make cooking feel like an exciting kitchen experiment.
• Enjoy Nutritious One-Pot Comfort: Discover a hearty, balanced meal that combines protein-rich squid, nutrient-packed vegetables, and wholesome rice in a single, comforting pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
• Create Impressive Dinner Party Centerpiece: Wow your guests with a visually stunning and deliciously complex dish that looks like it came straight from a coastal Mediterranean restaurant, yet is surprisingly achievable at home.

Ingredients Needed for Mediterranean Stuffed Squid

Main Ingredients:

• Squid: Fresh seafood with a tender texture, preferably cleaned and ready to stuff for easy preparation.
• Olive Oil: High-quality Mediterranean oil for sautéing and adding rich flavor to the dish.

• Red Onion, Green Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that provides depth and sweetness to the stuffing.
• Green Pepper, Zucchini, Carrot, Celery: Fresh vegetables that add color, nutrition, and texture to the filling.
• Tomato: Juicy ingredient that brings moisture and natural sweetness to the stuffing.

• White Rice: Short-grain variety that creates a soft and compact filling for the squid.

• Tomato Passata: Smooth, strained tomato sauce that creates a rich and silky base for the cooking liquid.
• Red Pepper: Sweet spice that adds warmth and gentle heat to the sauce.
• Bay Leaf: Aromatic herb that provides subtle depth and traditional Mediterranean flavor.

• Toothpicks: Necessary for securing the stuffed squid and keeping the filling inside during cooking.

Instructions for Preparing Stuffed Squid the Mediterranean Way

Step 1: Prepare the Squid

• Separate the head from the body
• Discard the head, keeping only the legs
• Finely chop the legs and place in a bowl
• Remove internal contents from the body
• Rinse thoroughly
• Remove outer skin (if present)
• Place cleaned squid in a strainer

Step 2: Create Flavorful Stuffing

• Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over high heat
• Add chopped squid legs
• Reduce heat to medium
• Cook for 2-3 minutes
• Add ingredients
• Onions (both types)
• Pepper
• Garlic
• Cook until slightly softened
• Add zucchini and carrot
• Continue cooking until vegetables soften
• Incorporate celery and rice
• Add tomato and water
• Season with salt and pepper
• Simmer on low heat, covered
• Cook until rice absorbs water completely
• Remove from heat
• Allow mixture to cool slightly

Step 3: Stuff the Squid

• Use a spoon to fill squid body
• Leave about 1 inch of space at the top
• Secure opening with toothpicks

Step 4: Prepare Aromatic Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a cooking pot
• Add red onion
• Cook on medium-low heat until onion softens
• Gently place stuffed squid in the pot
• Cook 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally
• Add ingredients
• Passata
• Water
• Sweet red pepper
• Bay leaf
• Season with salt and pepper
• Cover and simmer on medium heat
• Cook for 50-60 minutes until sauce thickens
• Let squid rest in sauce for 20 minutes before serving

Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Tips for Flavorful Stuffing and Tender Squid

• Master Squid Cleaning: Carefully remove all internal parts and outer membrane to ensure a tender, clean texture without any unwanted bits.
• Perfect Rice Absorption: Simmer the stuffing mixture slowly, allowing rice to fully absorb liquid and develop rich, deep flavors without becoming mushy.
• Toothpick Technique: Secure squid tops gently with toothpicks to prevent stuffing from leaking during cooking, ensuring a neat presentation.
• Sauce Simmering Secret: Cook the stuffed squid in sauce at a low, steady temperature to tenderize the meat and develop complex, layered taste profiles.
• Resting Ritual: Allow the cooked squid to rest in the sauce for at least 20 minutes, which helps the flavors meld and intensifies the overall taste experience.

How to Store and Reheat Mediterranean Stuffed Squid

Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer cooled stuffed squid and sauce to an airtight container. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze Carefully: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Reheat Gently: Warm slowly in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water if sauce appears dry. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly, about 8-10 minutes, to prevent scorching and preserve tender squid texture.

Mediterranean Stuffed Squid Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean stuffed squid showcases Italy’s coastal culinary magic with tender calamari filled with herbed breadcrumbs, garlic, and parsley. Delicate seafood meets rustic Mediterranean flavors, creating a simple yet sophisticated dish you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 600 grams (21.16 ounces) squid
• ⅓ cup (75 grams) round short-grain white rice
• 1 cup (250 grams) tomato passata

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium-sized (80 grams) red onion, minced
• ½ small (20 grams) green onion, finely chopped
• ½ small (30 grams) long sweet green pepper, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• ½ small (50 grams) zucchini, grated not too fine
• ½ small (60 grams) carrot, grated not too fine
• ½ small (30 grams) stick of celery, finely chopped
• ½ large (120 grams) tomato, finely diced

Seasonings and Extras:

• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet red pepper
• 1 dried bay leaf
• Toothpicks

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Instructions

1. Meticulously dissect the squid, separating the body from the head. Carefully trim the legs and chop them finely, reserving for the filling mixture. Thoroughly clean the squid body, removing internal membranes and outer skin, then rinse and drain in a colander.
2. Warm a skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature. Sauté the chopped squid legs until they begin to release their moisture. Introduce diced onions, minced garlic, and bell peppers, cooking until the aromatics become translucent.
3. Incorporate grated zucchini and carrots into the skillet, allowing vegetables to soften and release their natural flavors. Stir in chopped celery and rice, creating a robust base for the filling.
4. Pour tomato sauce and water into the vegetable mixture, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer until the rice absorbs all liquid and becomes tender. Allow the filling to cool slightly.
5. Delicately spoon the prepared filling into each squid body, leaving a small margin at the top to prevent bursting during cooking. Secure the opening with toothpicks to maintain the stuffing.
6. In a separate pot, heat olive oil and sauté red onions until they become soft and translucent. Gently place the stuffed squid into the pot, turning carefully to ensure even cooking.
7. Add passata, water, sweet red pepper, and bay leaf to create a rich, flavorful sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer on medium heat, allowing the sauce to reduce and the squid to become tender.
8. After 50-60 minutes, when the sauce has thickened and the squid is perfectly cooked, remove from heat. Let the dish rest for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify before serving.

Notes

• Stuffing transforms ordinary squid into a Mediterranean culinary masterpiece with layers of chopped vegetables and rice.
• Toothpicks act as tiny anchors, keeping the delicate filling secure inside the squid’s tender body.
• Slow-simmered sauce infuses deep, rich flavors into the seafood, creating a mouthwatering dish that rewards patience with incredible taste.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 70 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 238
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 375 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg