Torta de Mariscos: Seafood Torta

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1 small white onion, unpeeled, plus 1 medium-sized white onion

2 garlic cloves, unpeeled

5 bay leaves

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt

1 pound shrimp (any preferred size), in shell

1/2 pound cleaned squid, bodies only, cut into 1/4-inch dice to make about 1 cup

1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over to remove bits of shell and cartilage

2 large or 4 -to 5 medium-sized ripe tomatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and seeded

2 jalapeno chiles, seeded

1/2 small bunch Italian parsley, leaves chopped

1/2 bunch cilantro

1/2 small bunch mint, leaves only

1/2 small bunch Mediterranean oregano, leaves only

1/4 cup finely crushed soda cracker crumbs or best-quality fine-dry breadcrumbs from good French or Italian bread (no substitutes)

4 eggs, separated

1 tablespoon olive oil