Sicilian-style stuffed squid (stuffed calamari)

A delicious Sicilian way of preparing squid that's so tender and full of flavor.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• 1/2 onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 5 oz chard (weight including stems, around 5 leaves)
• 3 anchovy fillets
• 1 tbsp capers
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds (crushed with a pestle and mortar)
• 3 tbsp pine nuts (lightly toasted if possible (not essential))
• 3 tbsp golden raisins (or sultanas)
• 2 tbsp pecorino romano (finely grated, or parmesan cheese)
• 1 oz fresh bread crumbs (1 small slice)
• 4 squid (cleaned, skins removed etc (ask your fishmonger) so you have the main body plus the tentacles, or 6 if small)
• To serve - fresh parsley, lemon juice

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 375F/190C.
2. 2Warm the oil in a medium skillet/frying pan. Finely dice the onion and crush or finely dice the garlic. Remove the stems from the chard, trim the ends then finely slice the stems, cutting into smaller pieces if thick.
3. 3Add the onion to the pan, cook a minute then add the garlic and chard stalks. Cook for around 3-5 minutes until soft but not brown.
4. 4Meanwhile chop the chard leaves fairly finely and slice the anchovy fillets. Drain, rinse and chop the capers. Add the chard leaves to the pan once onions are soft, stir in so they wilt, around a minute or two. Add the anchovies, capers and fennel seeds and mix in well.
5. 5Remove the mixture from the heat and add the pine nuts, golden raisins, cheese and breadcrumbs and mix well. Note this filling can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight.
6. 6Stuff each of the squid relatively full but take care not to overstuff - leave around 1/2in/1cm space at the end.
7. 7Place the stuffed squid in a baking dish with a little olive oil under them. Arrange the tentacles on either side and cover them with any remaining stuffing over them. Put a little salt and pepper over everything and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
8. 8Bake for approx 20 minutes until the squid has firmed up, is no longer translucent and you'll see juice from the squid in the dish. Serve with a little chopped parsley over the top and a squeeze of lemon. Nice served with pasta, bread, salad or on their own.