Stuffed sepia with spicy peanuts and zucchini

Stuffed Cuttlefish with Nuts and Spicy Zucchini

Welcome to a culinary adventure full of flavor! Today, I will guide you step by step in preparing delicious stuffed cuttlefish with nuts, accompanied by spicy zucchini. This recipe will not only impress your guests but will also bring a touch of originality to your menu. So, let’s put on our aprons and get to work!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients for Stuffed Cuttlefish:
- 20 small cuttlefish (about 500 g), cleaned
- 5-6 pitted black olives
- 5-6 salted capers
- 2 tablespoons of raisins
- 100 g of salted nuts or a mix of nuts (peanuts, cashews)
- 2 fillets of salted anchovy
- 2 slices of white bread, crustless, soaked in milk and squeezed
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- Mixed herbs (Provence, if available)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 egg white
- Olive oil, for greasing the baking dish

Ingredients for Spicy Zucchini:
- 3 small zucchinis
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 chili pepper
- 1 crushed garlic clove
- Soy sauce, to taste
- Pepper and salt, to taste

Preparation:

Step 1: Preheat the oven
Start by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This step is essential to ensure even baking of the cuttlefish.

Step 2: Prepare the filling
In a large bowl, add the nuts or nut mix, which you will roughly chop with a knife. The goal is to keep the texture, so do not use a mixer. Next, add the garlic, parsley, anchovy fillets, capers, olives, and raisins, all finely chopped. Add the squeezed bread and mix with your hands to combine the ingredients. It’s important to feel each flavor in the filling!

Step 3: Season the filling
Now, add the egg white, pepper, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, along with the mixed herbs. Mix well, ensuring all ingredients are homogenized. It’s time to taste the filling; if you feel it needs a bit of salt, add a little, but be careful with the saltiness of the anchovy fillets.

Step 4: Stuff the cuttlefish
Carefully stuff each cuttlefish with the prepared mixture. If possible, also insert the tentacles inside to prevent the filling from spilling during baking. Place the stuffed cuttlefish in a greased baking dish, making sure to leave a bit of space between them.

Step 5: Bake the cuttlefish
Drizzle the cuttlefish with a little olive oil and a generous grind of pepper. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. It’s important to check the cuttlefish with a toothpick; if it goes in easily, then the cuttlefish are ready. Be careful not to overbake them, as they become chewy and inedible.

Step 6: Prepare the spicy zucchini
While the cuttlefish are in the oven, prepare the spicy zucchini garnish. Cut the zucchinis into sticks (about 1 cm x 3 cm). In a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the crushed garlic clove, and the sliced chili pepper. When the garlic turns golden, add the zucchinis, a bit of soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons of water. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, then add salt and pepper to taste. Finally, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

Step 7: Serve
Place the stuffed cuttlefish on plates and garnish with spicy zucchini. They are not only delicious but also a burst of color on the plate. Enjoy your meal!

Useful tips:
- If using larger cuttlefish, the baking time will increase. Check after 20 minutes with the toothpick test.
- You can adjust the salt level according to personal preferences, considering that ingredients like anchovy, olives, and capers already contribute to the saltiness of the filling.
- For a touch of freshness, add a few slices of lemon or lime when serving.
- This recipe pairs well with a dry white wine or a craft beer.

Nutritional benefits:
Cuttlefish are an excellent source of protein and contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health. Nuts add healthy fats and fiber, while zucchinis are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Possible variations:
- You can replace cuttlefish with squid or even stuffed zucchini for a vegetarian option.
- The flavor experience can be enhanced by adding feta cheese to the filling or by replacing the nuts with pecans.

This recipe for stuffed cuttlefish with nuts and spicy zucchini is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can be transformed into sophisticated dishes. So don’t hesitate to explore, innovate, and most importantly, enjoy every moment spent in the kitchen!