Fried calamari is a popular appetizer and we love it dipped in tomato sauce or laced with pickled hot peppers. But let’s consider squid for other delicious meals, such as this Italian recipe
Yield:
4-6 servingsIngredients
2 dozen medium-size or large squid, patted dry with paper towels
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium-size onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
Juice of 2 lemons (4-6 tablespoons)
1-1/2 cups dry, plain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup firmly packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
6 anchovy fillets, drained, finely chopped (optional)
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3-4 cups marinara or other meatless tomato sauce
Instructions
Remove tentacles from squid. Reserve tubes for stuffing; chop tentacles coarsely. Set both parts aside.
In a large saute pan with deep sides, heat oil on medium-high setting until shimmering. Add onion bits and cook, stirring, until translucent–don’t brown them–about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until it just starts to turn golden, about 30 seconds.
Add chopped tentacles and lemon juice; then remove pan from heat.
Stir in breadcrumbs, parsley, anchovies (if using), egg, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and wipe pan clean.
Stuff tentacle mixture into tubes. Don’t overstuff; tubes should be half-filled (stuffing will expand as it cooks). Once filled, flatten tubes slightly. (You may have stuffing left over.) Fold ends over and close with toothpicks.
Place filled tubes in pan. Add tomato sauce to cover squid. Over medium-low heat, bring to a gentle simmer. Then turn heat to low, cover pan, and simmer until squid is tender, 45-60 minutes.
