Calamares Rellenos en su Tinta
Tender squid stuffed with their own tentacles, vegetables, and spices, simmered in a rich, dark ink sauce. A classic dish with deep Caribbean flavors, often served with white rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cleaned, tentacles reserved Large squid
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped Yellow onion
- 1 medium, finely chopped Green bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 reserved, finely chopped Squid tentacles
- 1 can (14.5 oz), diced Tomatoes
- 0.5 cup Dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons (from squid pouches) Squid ink
- 2 tablespoons Sofrito
- 1 packet Sazón seasoning with achiote
- 1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
- 1 dried Bay leaf
- 0.5 teaspoon, or to taste Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon, or to taste Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the cleaned squid bodies and tentacles. Finely chop the reserved tentacles.
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped tentacles, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomatoes, sofrito, Sazón, adobo, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Carefully stuff the squid bodies with the filling, being careful not to overstuff. Secure the opening with a toothpick if necessary.
- 5
In a separate large pot or Dutch oven, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the stuffed squid bodies for about 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- 6
Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- 7
Add the squid ink to the pot, stirring well to combine with the wine and create the sauce. Add enough water (about 1-2 cups) to almost cover the squid.
- 8
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the squid is tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- 9
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot, typically with white rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the squid is thoroughly cleaned before preparation.
- ✓Don't overstuff the squid, as it will expand slightly during cooking.
- ✓Adjust the amount of squid ink to achieve your desired color and flavor intensity.
- ✓If you can't find squid ink pouches, you can sometimes purchase squid ink separately at specialty seafood markets.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Incorporate other finely chopped vegetables like carrots or celery into the filling.
- Serve with a side of tostones or fried plantains.