Calamari: A great option for your restaurant

Squid are a delicious and very versatile seafood option that we can find in most markets and restaurants around the world. Both fresh and frozen. These cephalopods have a tender texture and mild flavor that gives rise to a wide variety of culinary options. There are many different ways to cook it… fried, grilled, in salads, in soups, etc.

In this article we will talk about the different types of squid that are used in gastronomy, their nutritional benefits and various recipes to prepare them.

Origin of squid

Thanks to the flavor and texture of squid, they are being highly appreciated both now and over the years by many cultures around the world. In this way, the history of squid dates back thousands of years, when the ancient Greeks and Egyptians began to fish and consume this marine animal.

In ancient Greece, squid was considered a delicacy and was prepared in many different ways. Researchers suspect that the Greeks were the ones who began cooking squid on the grill, a technique used today.

Meanwhile, in ancient Rome, they considered squid a poor man's food due to its abundance and, consequently, low cost. There It used to be cooked in wine sauce and served with bread.

In the Middle Ages, squid became popular in the coastal regions of Europe, prepared in many different ways, such as in stews or grilled.

In modern times, we can find squid on many restaurant menus as well as as in kitchens and homes around the world.

Currently most squid are caught in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Pacific. Although they are also raised in aquaculture in many countries, making them a much more accessible product.

Types of squid

Today there are several types of squid for cooking, each one has its own characteristics and uses. Below I present the most common ones:

Jig squid: this type is characterized by having a small/medium size and offer very tender meat. It is perfect for rice, stews and stir-fries.
Squid: this is a type of small squid ;o and dark in color that we can find in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is very popular in Spanish cuisine and is usually cooked in its ink or grilled.
Giant or Humboldt squid: found in deep waters and can measure up to 14 meters in length. Its meat is firmer than that of other squid and has a more intense flavor. It is very difficult to find specimens of this type alive since they are very solitary animals and live too deep.
Flying squid: native to the waters of the Pacific and characterized by its mild flavor and sweet meat. Very suitable for dishes such as sushi, sashimi or in salad.
Patagonic squid: this type has its origin in Patagonia and is characterized by having very tender and sweet meat. Ideal for salads, stews and ceviches.

Kinds of dishes with squid

As a very versatile ingredient in cooking, squid can be prepared in many different ways. I present to you the most popular dishes:

Roman style squid: this dish is very you peak of Italian cuisine, although in Madrid there is no more popular food than the Roman-style squid sandwich. They are prepared battered and fried, and are usually served with lemon. They are very suitable as a starter or aperitif.
Rice with squid: a very popular dish in the kitchen Mediterranean, it consists of rice cooked with squid and other seafood. They are perfect to share at a family meal or with friends.
Grilled squid: it is a very simple dish and Quick to prepare, plus it is easy to prepare. delicious. They are grilled with a little olive oil and salt and can be served alone or with romesco sauce or aioli.
Squid in its ink: a typical dish of Spanish cuisine consists of cooking squid in its own ink and then serving it with white rice. It is a very tasty dish and considered a delicacy.
Squid salad: it is usually made with cooked squid and add lettuce, tomato, cucumber, olives... a refreshing and great dish for summer.
Calamares ceviche: it is a typical dish of Latin American cuisine consisting of squid marinated in lemon and spices. It is usually served with avocado and toasted corn. It is great for a light dinner or to share at a gathering.
Galician-style squid: an original food from Galicia, It involves cooking the squid and cutting it into slices. It is commonly served with boiled or baked potatoes and is a delicious dish for any occasion.

Also, we should take into account the famouschipirones, which are still small squid or larger babies small.

As you can see, squid, in addition to being an exquisite food, provide a lot of culinary play and are an ingredient that cannot be missing in the kitchen of any traditional restaurant.

Squid's Nutritional foundation

Luckily, squid, in addition to being delicious, are a source of essential nutrients for our body. Over here I leave you the main ones.

Proteins: considered a high-quality protein source .
Vitamins: squid are rich in B complex vitamins , like B12, essential for our brain and nervous system. And vitamin E, which contains antioxidant properties and helps protect cells from the danger of oxidation.
Minerals: squid are rich in zinc, magnesium and calcium.
Áomega-3 fatty acids: important for cardiovascular health and improved brain function. Helps reduce cholesterol and body inflammation.

It is also a low-fat and low-calorie food, making it an excellent option for those who want to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet, as long as it is balanced.

Curiosities about these mollusks

I'll tell you some curiosities about squid that you may not have known.

Squid have 3 hearts, two are branchial to pump blood to the gills, and one is systemic, to deliver the bloodstream to the rest of the body.

They are such intelligent animals that they are known for it. They have a highly developed nervous system and are capable of solving problems and learning from past experiences.

Squid are capable of changing color thanks to their pigment cells called chromatophores, which allows them to camouflage themselves and protect themselves from potential predators.

Squid ink, in addition to cooking with it, has been used as a dye for centuries. For example, to dye fabrics or leather and write on paper.

Giant squid are the largest invertebrate in the world and can measure 13, 14 or even 15 meters long and weigh up to 750 kilos. Although, as I mentioned before, they are very difficult animals to find in their natural habitat since it is located kilometers of sea depth and in a lot of darkness. There have been cases of giant squid stranding on the beach after their death.

It is not only we who use squid as food, but it also has a multitude of marine predators, such as whales, dolphins, sharks, fish, etc.

They have a fairly short life expectancy of around one or two years. Giant squid can live up to 5 years.

Communication between squids is usually carried out through electrical signals since they have cells specialized in this called “ciliated cells” which allow sending and receiving electrical signals. It is believed that this ability allows them to communicate with other squid and detect predators.

Historical anecdote about squid

There is a quite interesting anecdote about the Roman-style calamari popular in the city of Rome.

Legend has it that the original recipe for Roman-style squid arose in the Jewish quarter of Rome, also called the Ghetto.

During the 16th century, Jews were confined to that neighborhood and were prohibited from having traditional jobs, so many of them dedicated themselves to cooking and trading food.

The recipe for Roman-style squid originated in when a group of Jews intended to cook fish for Shabbat (the holy day of rest in Judaism). However, fish was such an expensive food that it was not available to their social class at the time. In this way, they chose to use squid instead of fish, since they were more affordable and available in the market.

To get a tastier flavor, they cut the squid into rings, coated them in flour and fried them in boiling oil. It turned out The recipe was a great success and soon became popular. in a very popular dish throughout Rome.

Today, Roman-style calamari, as we have mentioned before, is a very common dish in many Italian restaurants. Although the recipe has been adapted and modified in various ways, its original flavor and history continue to be a very relevant part of Roman gastronomy.

If you want to know more about other interesting foods for your hospitality business, we recommend the cooked ham and the smoked salmon.