Calamaria Parayemista

      1 kg Small squid                         1 sm Cinnamon stick
    1/2 c  Corn oil                            2    Cloves
      1 md Onion; finely chopped                    Salt
    1/2 c  Short-grain rice                         Freshly ground black pepper
    1/2 c  Tomato puree                      1/2 c  Dry white wine
    1/4 c  Water

  Servings:  6

  Select squid with hoods about 10-12 cm (4-5 inches) long.

  To clean squid, pull off head and attached tentacles.  Cut out eyes
  and beak and discard.  Clean dark skin from head and tentacles by
  pulling it off or rubbing off with a cloth dipped in coarse salt.
  Rinse, chop 3 to 4 into small pieces and keep aside.  Remainder may
  be stored and fried later.

  Clean out hood (body) and remove transparent backbone from inside.
  Pull or rub off skin.  Rinse well, drain and dry.

  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan and gently fry onion until
  transparent. Stir in rice and stir over heat for 2 minutes.  Add
  tomato puree, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, chopped squid, and salt
  and pepper to taste.  Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes
  or until liquid is absorbed. Remove cinnamon stick and cloves.

  Fill hoods with rice mixture, packing it in loosely as rice expands
  and hoods contract during cooking.  Close top with wooden cocktail
  picks or sew with strong thread.

  Heat remaining oil in a deep pan and fry squid hoods until lightly
  coloured, turning them frequently.  Reduce heat, add wine, cover and
  simmer gently on low heat for 1 hour or until squid is tender.  Add a
  little water to pan if necessary during cooking.  Serve hot or warm
  as a mezethaki (appetizer).