Stuffed squid facts for kids
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| Place of origin | Stuffed squid and red wine from The Flute in Mumbai |
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| Region or state | Turkey, Greece |
| Main ingredients | Squid |
Stuffed squid is a tasty dish where a squid is filled with different ingredients. It's known as Kalamar dolması in Turkey and Γεμιστό καλαμάρι in Greece.
This dish usually includes ingredients like olive oil, onions, garlic, rice, tomatoes, salt, pepper, mint, and parsley. These are mixed together and then used to stuff the squid. After stuffing, the squid is often cooked in tomato juice. It's a very popular meal in both Turkey and Greece.
Stuffed Squid in Tunisia
In Tunisia, stuffed squid is called kalamar mihshi. It's a very common and varied dish, especially along the country's eastern coast. People often eat it as a main meal. It can be served by itself in a spicy sauce made with harissa and tomatoes. Sometimes, it's also served as part of a couscous dish.
Central Tunisian Style
In the central coastal areas of Tunisia, like Sousse, Monastir, and Mahdia, the stuffing for squid often uses green vegetables. These greens include things like chard or spinach. They are usually mixed with lots of fresh parsley and chopped onions.
A small amount of rice, bulgur, or chickpeas is added to the greens. For protein, people might add finely chopped squid tentacles or a mix of tentacles and other meats. Raw eggs are sometimes used to help hold the stuffing together. The stuffing gets its flavor from harissa or spicy paprika. Other spices like garlic, dry mint, or a mix of coriander and caraway are also used.
Southern Tunisian Style
In the southern part of Tunisia's coast, especially around Gabès, the stuffing is a bit different. It uses less or no green vegetables. Instead, the main ingredients are chopped squid tentacles and pre-cooked chickpeas.
Other ingredients like carrots, onions, garlic, coriander, and caraway seeds are also added. Instead of harissa, people in this region often use a special paste called hrous. This paste is made from pickled onions and red peppers, giving the dish a unique local flavor.
See also
In Spanish: Kalamar dolma para niños
