Stuffed Calamari - A Taste of Maltese Delight

Ingredients

• 8 medium-sized calamari tubes 8 medium-sized calamari tubes
• 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (120ml) fish or vegetable broth 1/2 cup (120ml) fish or vegetable broth
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Carefully stuff each calamari tube with the breadcrumb mixture, leaving a small space at the top to prevent bursting during cooking. Secure the opening with a toothpick.
3. 3.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the crushed tomatoes and fish or vegetable broth to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Gently place the stuffed calamari tubes into the skillet, ensuring they are submerged in the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the calamari is tender.
6. 6.
   Once cooked, remove the toothpicks from the calamari tubes. Serve the stuffed calamari hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Calamari — When cleaning the calamari tubes, make sure to remove any remaining innards and rinse them thoroughly. Be careful not to overstuff the tubes to prevent them from bursting during cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of white wine to the tomato sauce before simmering the calamari.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, sprinkle some chili flakes over the stuffed calamari before cooking.
• Serve the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a tangy twist.
• If you can't find fresh calamari, frozen calamari tubes can be used as a substitute.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify.

Serving advice

Serve the Stuffed Calamari as a main course, accompanied by a side of crusty bread or pasta to soak up the delicious tomato sauce. Add a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Stuffed Calamari on a platter, drizzle some of the tomato sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley. The vibrant colors of the dish, with the tender calamari peeking through the sauce, will make for an enticing presentation.