Calamari Ripieni

Ingredients

Calamari tubes

4 large, cleaned

Calamari tentacles

chopped, from the cleaned squid

Breadcrumbs

1 cup

Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup, grated

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Fresh parsley

1/4 cup, chopped

Lemon zest

1 teaspoon

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Marinara sauce

1 cup

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Clean the squid tubes by removing the tentacles and rinsing them thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. Stuff each squid tube with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in, but leave some space at the top for expansion during cooking.
5. Secure the top of each stuffed squid tube with a toothpick to prevent the stuffing from spilling out during cooking.
6. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the stuffed squid tubes and sauté for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are lightly browned.
7. Transfer the squid tubes to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the calamari is cooked through and tender.
8. While the calamari is baking, heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through.
9. Serve the Calamari Ripieni hot, drizzled with extra olive oil if desired, alongside the marinara sauce for dipping.
10. Enjoy this flavorful dish with a side of crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce!