Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Grilled Breaded Calamari: A Taste of the Sicilian Coast
Tender grilled calamari coated in crisp golden breadcrumbs — a simple, sun-soaked Sicilian dish that brings the sea straight to your table.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 4 calamari
- ✓ 150 g breadcrumbs
- ✓ 1 lemon
- ✓ extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ salt
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Grilled breaded calamari are one of Sicily’s most beloved seaside dishes — quick to prepare, wonderfully aromatic and irresistibly crisp.
With just a handful of ingredients, you can recreate that unmistakable scent of summer evenings by the sea: the sizzle of hot metal, the aroma of lemon zest and toasted breadcrumbs, and the tender sweetness of fresh calamari. This recipe celebrates simplicity, letting the sea speak for itself.
Perfect for a warm evening outdoors or a relaxed family dinner, these grilled breaded calamari deliver all the charm of the Sicilian coast in every mouthful.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Clean the calamari by removing the head, tentacles, innards and central cartilage. Peel the bodies, rinse well and drain in a colander.
- 2
Pat the calamari dry with kitchen paper.
- 3
Make shallow horizontal cuts across the top side of each calamari body.
- 4
Prepare a bowl with extra-virgin olive oil and a plate with breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper.
- 5
Heat a grill plate until very hot — cast iron works best.
- 6
Dip the tentacles in the oil, then the breadcrumbs. Grill for 2–3 minutes, turning halfway, then grill the bodies for about 2 minutes per side.
- 7
Season with salt, a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add finely chopped parsley or oregano to the breadcrumbs for a fragrant herbal twist. For a bolder flavour, mix in cayenne pepper or sweet paprika.
📦 Storage
- • Enjoy freshly cooked for best texture and flavour.
- • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
- • Reheat gently in the oven to keep the coating crisp.
🍷 Pairing
Serve with a chilled glass of Sicilian Grillo — its fresh, delicate character enhances the sweetness of the calamari and the crunch of the breadcrumb coating.
Thank you for joining me in exploring this simple yet flavour-packed Sicilian dish. I hope these grilled breaded calamari bring a little seaside sunshine to your table — and that you share them with people you love. Buon appetito!
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