Catch It
Rod and line fishing for squid (calamari) and cuttlefish has become popular in the UK over the past few years. Specialised fishing techniques use custom lures known as jigs. These have two circular rows of crown hooks that entangle the tentacles.
Various locations along the UK south coast such as Weymouth have become known hotspots for squidding in the autumn.
Prepare the Squid
Cleaning can be a messy business because of the ink. The whole method is here.
Cook It
Cooked just right, it is beautifully tender. Overcooked it is tough and rubbery.
I first ate calamari regularly on the Algarve in the 1980s. I remember sitting on the beach after dark watching the lights of the fishing boats out at sea. They shine lights to attract them up to the surface from deeper water to feed.
All along the seafront restaurants would serve the freshest fish and shellfish caught locally the night before. It was superb compared to the “fresh” fish we were used to at home, which had been stored on ice for days.
Even the Chinese restaurants had lots of fish on offer, including calamari curry which was actually pretty good.
Other Recipes You Maybe Interested in …..
I like it cooked and served simply like the featured recipe.
Grilled Squid (Calamari)
Ingredients
- 1 pound squid cleaned
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heat a grill to high heat. Rinse the squid under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Cut the squid bodies lengthwise down one side and open flat.
- Cut the tentacles in half if too large.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Add the squid bodies and tentacles to the bowl, tossing to evenly coat.
- Thread the tentacles onto separate skewers.
- Grill over high heat, turning once, just until opaque throughout, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove the squid from skewers and pile them on a platter.
Nutrition
You may also like one of my other recipes …
Please observe minimum size limits when fishing.
Use a measure like this one from Tronixpro.
