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What is Calamari: Your Ultimate Guide to Cooking and Enjoying Squid

Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Editorial Team
What is Calamari?

Dive into the culinary world of seafood, and you'll discover that "calamari" is more than just a fancy term for squid. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, squid ranks among the top seafood commodities globally, with millions of tons harvested annually. In the United States, "calamari" often conjures images of a crispy, golden appetizer, but this versatile ingredient graces menus in various forms. Renowned for its delicate flavor and tender texture, calamari is celebrated in cuisines across continents, whether grilled, sautéed, or even served raw in dishes like sushi. Understanding what is calamari unlocks a world of gastronomic possibilities, elevating your dining experience with a touch of sophistication.

Fried Squid Dishes

Fried calamari.
Fried calamari.

Fried calamari is one of the most popular preparations, and is what many people think of when they hear the term. Most dishes of this type focus almost exclusively on the animal’s tentacles; chefs will slice them to form rings, then dip them in a batter of herbs, breadcrumbs, or spices before frying them in oil or fat. This sort of presentation is believed to have originated along the Mediterranean coast of Europe, but is a common appetizer in many parts of the world. In much of North America it has become synonymous with what “calamari” is or should be.

Fresh squid used for calamari.
Fresh squid used for calamari.

Cooks can have a lot of fun with this type of squid dish, and often come up with unique flavor combinations and twists. The rings can be battered with things like shredded coconut to give a tropical taste, for instance, or they can be served alongside dipping sauces featuring flavors like chili pepper or pesto. Many Italian restaurants will serve fried squid with marinara sauce or topped with Parmesan cheese.

Other Preparations

Lemons, which are usually served with calamari.
Lemons, which are usually served with calamari.

Virtually any type of squid presentation can properly be called “calamari,” which means that people hoping to get a fried platter must usually read the menu carefully, else ask a waiter or cook for more details on what exactly is meant by the term. Many pasta and paella dishes feature squid that has been grilled or steamed, and baked stuffed squid is a delicacy in many Mediterranean cultures.

Fried calamari is often topped with Parmesan cheese.
Fried calamari is often topped with Parmesan cheese.

More than just the squid’s tentacles are edible, and many calamari presentations make use of the animal’s firmer body or head. Squid ink can be used to color and flavor fragrant sauces and marinades, and the animal’s internal organs are sometimes included in the final presentation as well. Squid feature somehow in the cuisine of almost every country or society with a seacoast, which makes for tremendous variety. Some of the best-known recipes come from the Mediterranean, particularly Spain and Italy, but the animals are an important part of many Asian and Latin American cuisines, too.

Raw Squid Controversy

Fried calimari is often served with marinara sauce.
Fried calimari is often served with marinara sauce.

Some dishes feature uncooked squid, which is controversial in many places. Many traditional Japanese and Korean meals center on raw cuts, usually served alongside rice or atop salads. Larger animals are often sliced and sometimes marinated for flavor, whereas smaller creatures may be simply skewered and eaten mostly whole — the tough fins and ink glands are typically removed first, but nearly everything else is edible. A number of Scandinavian recipes also call for uncooked squid, particularly the tentacles.

Breadcrumbs are used to coat calamari prior to frying.
Breadcrumbs are used to coat calamari prior to frying.

Seafood connoisseurs often argue that raw preparations are best able to capture the true “essence” of the meat, and many argue that cooking and frying destroys essential characteristics. Squid is generally very delicate, and its flavor can be overpowered; at the same time, though, eating it raw can present a range of health concerns. Squid are not usually considered toxic, but their ink can, in some cases, cause intense illness if consumed straight from the animal. Uncooked squid is also more likely to harbor harmful bacteria, particularly if it has been stored for any length of time before serving.

Nutritional Information

The serving of raw squid is controversial.
The serving of raw squid is controversial.

On its own, squid is typically a very healthful food. It is low in calories and free of saturated fats; it also contains a number of helpful omega-3 fatty acids, which are believed by many to improve overall health and reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular disorders like heart attacks. The tentacles typically contain fewer nutrients than the body, but both are generally high in protein and vitamin B12. Cholesterol can be a concern, though; most squid have relatively high levels, which can be easily exacerbated depending on presentation and cooking method.

Many restaurants call any meal that includes squid "calamari" to sound more fancy.
Many restaurants call any meal that includes squid "calamari" to sound more fancy.

In general, grilling and steaming are the best ways to prepare squid so as to preserve its health benefits. Soaking the animal in different sauces or frying it in oil or fat can add calories and in some cases even leach out vitamins and minerals. When thinking about nutrition diners should be sure to consider the meal in full, as accompaniments like creamy pastas or starch-heavy batters can overshadow the benefits.

Allergy Risk

Squid are in the cephalopod family, which means that they are not related to most shellfish. Just the same, many people who suffer from shellfish allergies find that they cannot eat squid either. A lot of this has to do with the chemical makeup of the animal. Even people who can eat things like scallops and shrimp may find that they cannot tolerate calamari if they have more specific allergies. Signs of a negative reaction include skin rashes, extreme nausea, and difficulty breathing, and these symptoms often get progressively worse with exposure. People who typically have trouble eating seafood or who feel unwell after consuming squid should talk to a medical professional before making calamari a regular part of their diets.

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Our Editorial Team, made up of seasoned professionals, prioritizes accuracy and quality in every piece of content. With years of experience in journalism and publishing, we work diligently to deliver reliable and well-researched content to our readers.

Discussion Comments

anon315988

There is no properly prepared squid that isn't delicious! I eat calamari for the texture, breading and sauce are just an added bonus to a wonderful meat.

anon253194

Actually, in Italian tradition at least (and it is an Italian word), Calamari is not necessarily cut into rings and fried. That's only one way to cook it.

Stuffed calamari is just as popular in southern Italy (Calabria and Sicily). My grandmother used to make stuffed calamari all the time.

anon143090

Although I have very high (about 270) cholesterol, I love fried calamari and consider it my food to die for.

So when ladies rave or talk about decadence and chocolate, I can totally understand, except my decadent food is calamari. I used to go to a seafood restaurant in Los Gatos all the way from Palo Alto just to eat their calamari, which one can order as the main dish or just as an appetizer. I always ordered it as the main dish with some hot bread as my dinner. They had three different dipping, but my all time favorite is aioli sauce with a tinge of ginger and honey. Yummy!

anon142447

Calamari does not go with tzatziki! I've eaten calamari for 29 years now (in Greece). you can say with lemon but never with tzatziki. tzatziki goes only with meat.

anon136757

I'm allergic to shrimp/ prawns. So i have never tried to eat lobster, crab, oysters, clams. Am wondering if I should try calamari. Is it closely enough related to shellfish to give me an allergic reaction? FYI - I am able to eat regular fish without a problem.

anon95621

@4: Since when were shrimp, lobsters and crabs shellfish? Squid are cephalopod mollusks and not too distantly related from bivalve mollusks such mussels and oyster (i.e. shellfish). Certainly more closely related than the arthropods you listed!

anon17658

Calamari is referred to as a 'shellfish' in this article. Squid is, in fact, a Cephalapod, and does not relate to Shrimp, Lobster, or Crab.

anon12384

So is Mongolian grilled calamari heart healthy or not? What vitamins, minerals or omega 3's does it contain that I would choose it over chicken, pork, beef or shrimp at a grill for health purposes? Why should I incorporate/exclude it into my diet? I've had 5 heart caths and 4 stents and I love grilled calamari. Am I helping or hurting my condition continuing to eat it? Mike

bigmetal

malena,

i totally agree with you. having tried fresh, grilled calamari without all that yummy batter-fried goodness, i have to say that i prefer the latter. i had a seafood platter with little octopi and calamari without the disguise of frying...a little unsettling. it was good, don't get me wrong, but sadly, you can batter and fry pretty much anything and it'll be tasty. moderation is key, obviously!

malena

I always thought that calamari was made from octopus, not squid! I suppose that wasn't way off since the octopus and squid are related, but still, good to know I'm eating squid and not octopus!

Also, I learned that there's also a non-fried calamari version. On a few occasions in European restaurants, I ordered calamari and was brought something just like the fried dish, accompanied by a white and red dipping sauce and lemon wedge, but the calamari was not fried. So I guess there are two versions, in that respect. I vote for the unhealthy, fried version!

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    • Fried calamari.
      Fried calamari.
    • Fresh squid used for calamari.
      Fresh squid used for calamari.
    • Lemons, which are usually served with calamari.
      By: Britta Laser
      Lemons, which are usually served with calamari.
    • Fried calamari is often topped with Parmesan cheese.
      By: Elenathewise
      Fried calamari is often topped with Parmesan cheese.
    • Fried calimari is often served with marinara sauce.
      By: juliedeshaies
      Fried calimari is often served with marinara sauce.
    • Breadcrumbs are used to coat calamari prior to frying.
      By: Vidady
      Breadcrumbs are used to coat calamari prior to frying.
    • The serving of raw squid is controversial.
      By: hiphoto39
      The serving of raw squid is controversial.
    • Many restaurants call any meal that includes squid "calamari" to sound more fancy.
      By: margo555
      Many restaurants call any meal that includes squid "calamari" to sound more fancy.