Squid, also known as calamari, is a delicious and healthy seafood that can easily be prepared at home. However, to truly enjoy squid, it’s crucial to understand the proper techniques for cleaning, preparing, and cooking it. In this article, I will guide you through each step, from cleaning squid to cooking it to perfection.
1. How To Clean And Prepare Squid Properly
Rinse the squid: Start by rinsing the squid under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
Separate the head from the body: Hold the squid firmly in one hand and gently pull the head away from the body. It should detach easily. Set the head aside if you plan to use it for cooking.
Remove the innards: Reach inside the squid’s body and pull out the transparent, plastic-like quill (the internal shell). Discard the quill. Check the body cavity for any remaining innards, such as organs or ink sacs, and remove them as well.
Remove the skin: Hold the squid tube (body) firmly with one hand and use your other hand to grip the thin, translucent skin. Peel the skin off in one piece, starting from the top near the opening and pulling it down towards the bottom. The skin should come off easily.
Rinse again: Rinse the cleaned squid thoroughly under cold running water to ensure any remaining traces of innards or skin are removed.
Cut into rings: Lay the squid tube flat on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to make a straight cut across the tube just below the opening. This will create a flat surface to work with. Then, slice the tube crosswise into rings of your desired thickness, usually around 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide. If you’re using the tentacles, you can leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces.
Pat dry: Place the squid rings and tentacles on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel and gently pat them dry. Excess moisture can interfere with achieving a crispy texture when cooking.
2. How To Cook Squid (Calamari)
2.1. Pan Fried Squid Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound squid (cleaned and cut into rings)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Toss the squid rings in the flour mixture, coating them evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
Place the coated squid rings in the hot skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; you may need to cook in batches.
Cook the squid rings for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and become crispy. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough.
Once cooked, remove the squid rings from the skillet and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Repeat the frying process with any remaining squid rings.
Serve the pan-fried squid hot, garnished with fresh parsley (if desired) and lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the squid.
Pan-fried squid makes a fantastic appetizer or can be enjoyed as part of a seafood platter. You can also serve it with a dipping sauce such as marinara sauce or aioli. Enjoy the crispy and flavorful goodness of this pan-fried squid dish!
2.2. Air Fryer Fried Squid Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound squid (calamari) tubes and tentacles
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Marinara sauce or aioli, for dipping (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
Clean the squid: Rinse the calamari tubes and tentacles under cold water. Remove the beak-like mouth and any innards from the tubes. Cut the tubes into rings and leave the smaller tentacles whole.
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
Dip the squid rings and tentacles into the flour mixture, coating them thoroughly. Shake off any excess flour.
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
Arrange the coated squid rings and tentacles in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd; you may need to cook in batches.
Lightly spray the squid with cooking spray or olive oil spray to promote browning and crispiness.
Place the basket in the air fryer and cook the squid at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The squid should be golden brown and crispy.
Remove the fried squid from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving plate.
Serve the air fryer fried squid hot, garnished with lemon wedges. You can also serve it with marinara sauce or aioli for dipping.
Now that you know how to clean, prep and cook squid fried properly. I hope that after reading this article, you’ll enjoy perfectly crispy fried calamari every time at home.
