While many associate pickled seafood with heavy, curried spices, the Mediterranean style—Escabeche—offers a lighter, herbal alternative that is perfect for delicate meats like squid.

Living in Portugal means I often trade traditional Cape salmon for beautiful local pota (jumbo squid). Because pota is more delicate and has a dense, solid flesh compared to flaky white fish, it requires a careful, instructional approach: tenderising first, followed by a lighter aromatic pickling liquid.

If you are looking for a stunning, straightforward make-ahead seafood dish, this is it. Here is my direct guide to creating the perfect Mediterranean Squid Escabeche.

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Salata od hobotnice, or octopus salad, is a delightful and refreshing starter that shines along the Croatian coast during the warm summer months. Rooted in the Mediterranean culinary tradition of Dalmatia, this dish showcases the region’s love for fresh seafood, particularly octopus, which is abundant in the Adriatic Sea. Typically served as a light appetizer or meze, it’s a staple at seaside restaurants, family gatherings, and local festivals, where the tender octopus is paired with simple yet flavorful ingredients like potatoes, onions, and olive oil. The dish reflects Croatia’s coastal heritage, where fishing communities have perfected the art of preparing cephalopods with minimal fuss to highlight their natural taste.

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This Octopus and Squid Casserole is a flavourful and hearty dish that’s perfect for seafood lovers. Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, it’s rich in spices and aromas, making it a delightful meal for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home. The combination of octopus and squid, slow-cooked with a medley of vegetables and spices, creates a tender and aromatic casserole that pairs wonderfully with bulgur wheat or couscous. This recipe might take a bit of time, but the delicious result is well worth the effort.

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I recently got my hands on some very good quality warthog stewing meat. While searching for a suitable recipe, I stumbled upon this recipe by Nico Verster – Slow-roasted warthog potjie with dukka spice – which had me instantly intrigued. Dukka (or dukkah or duqqa) is an Egyptian seed and nut condiment where warthog is a venison meat often used in South African cuisine and cooked in a potjie which is a traditional way of cooking food in a cast iron pot. Fusion food indeed!

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