Midhje të Mbushura
Albanian Stuffed Mussels
A delightful appetizer featuring fresh mussels stuffed with a savory mixture of breadcrumbs, herbs, and sometimes a hint of garlic or lemon zest, then baked until golden. This dish is a testament to Albania's coastal culinary heritage.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Black mussels(cleaned and debearded)
- 1 cup Fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 clove Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley(finely chopped)
- 0.5 tsp Lemon zest(finely grated)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 tsp Salt(or to taste, as mussels are naturally salty)
- 0.25 cup Water(for steaming)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Clean the mussels thoroughly under cold running water. Remove any beards by pulling them firmly from the shell.
💡 Tip: Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped, or those with cracked shells. - 2
In a large pan with a lid, combine the cleaned mussels, water, and a pinch of salt. Steam over high heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the mussels have opened.
💡 Tip: Shake the pan occasionally to ensure even steaming. - 3
Remove the opened mussels from the pan using tongs and place them on a baking sheet. Discard any unopened mussels. Let them cool slightly.
- 4
Carefully pry open each mussel, keeping the meat in one half of the shell. Arrange the filled shells on the baking sheet.
💡 Tip: Be gentle to avoid separating the shell completely. - 5
In a small bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest, olive oil, black pepper, and salt.
- 6
Spoon a small amount of the breadcrumb mixture into each mussel shell, pressing gently to fill.
- 7
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
💡 Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking. - 8
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
💡 Tip: Watch carefully to prevent the breadcrumbs from burning. - 9
Serve immediately as a warm appetizer.
💡 Tip: Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure mussels are very fresh. If they smell strongly of ammonia, discard them.
- ✓Don't overcook the mussels during the steaming phase, as they will cook further in the oven.
- ✓Adjust the amount of salt based on the natural saltiness of the mussels.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stuffing for a hint of spice.
- Some variations include a small amount of finely chopped onion or dill in the stuffing.
- A splash of white wine can be added to the steaming liquid for extra flavor.