Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Baked Stuffed Calamari: A Mediterranean Feast from the Oven
Learn how to prepare beautifully tender Sicilian baked stuffed calamari – a summery, flavour-packed seafood dish that brings the taste of the Mediterranean straight to your table.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 8 fresh calamari
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ 40 g pine nuts
- ✓ 1 small bunch of fresh parsley
- ✓ 150 g breadcrumbs
- ✓ 3 tbsp Sicilian pecorino, grated
- ✓ 2 tsp capers, finely chopped
- ✓ extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ salt
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Baked stuffed calamari is one of those timeless Sicilian dishes that feels both rustic and elegant. It carries the fragrance of the sea, the warmth of a Mediterranean summer, and the generosity that defines the island’s cooking.
This recipe has been handed down through families for generations, each adding their own little touches. Tender calamari are filled with a savoury mixture of toasted breadcrumbs, pine nuts, pecorino, herbs, and a whisper of garlic – simple ingredients that, once baked, become something truly special.
It’s the perfect dish for a summer evening when fresh seafood is at its best. Serve it as a main course or as part of a leisurely fish dinner with friends, and let the taste of Sicily shine through every bite.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Rinse the calamari thoroughly and remove the heads.
- 2
Finely chop the tentacles and sauté them in a frying pan with 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Season lightly with salt, drain, and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- 3
In the same pan, warm a drizzle of oil and gently toast the breadcrumbs with one finely chopped garlic clove until golden.
- 4
Add the toasted breadcrumbs to the bowl with the tentacles.
- 5
Stir in the pecorino, pine nuts, chopped parsley, crushed garlic, and capers.
- 6
Season with salt and pepper, loosen with a splash of olive oil, and use the mixture to fill the calamari.
- 7
Secure each calamaro with a cocktail stick and arrange them on a lightly oiled baking tray.
- 8
Drizzle with a little more olive oil and bake at 180°C for 25 minutes.
- 9
Serve hot, finished with a few crisp lettuce leaves or fresh herbs.
💡 Tips and Variations
For the best texture, choose the freshest calamari you can find. If fresh calamari aren’t available, you can use common squid as an alternative.
Take care not to overcook them – just a few minutes too long can make them rubbery.
If you enjoy a stronger flavour, add a pinch of chilli flakes or swap pecorino for a mature cheese with more bite.
📦 Storage
- • Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- • You can freeze the cooked calamari for up to 1 month.
- • Reheat gently in the oven at 160°C for about 10 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Pair your Sicilian baked stuffed calamari with a chilled glass of Menfi Bianco – a lively, delicately aromatic Sicilian white that complements the seafood beautifully.
Thank you for exploring this beloved Sicilian classic. These baked stuffed calamari bring sunshine, sea breeze, and tradition together in one delightful dish. I hope they bring a little taste of Sicily to your table. Buon appetito!
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