Calamari

Everything you always wanted to know about calamari

Calamari

Everything you always wanted to know about calamari

TYPE: Loligo vulgaris

BEST CATCH: Squid is available frozen all year round in consistent quality.

PREPARATION: Roasted, grilled or deep-fried

RECIPE SUGGESTION: Grilled calamari with garlic

TASTE:

Squid or calamari? No matter what you call it, this seafood delicacy is a real treat for the palate. Discover the versatility of this sea creature, which is known in our oceans for its tender meat and rich taste.

Calamari belong to the cephalopod family, which also includes octopuses. The squid has an elongated body and ten catcher arms, two of which are significantly longer and are called tentacles. Its characteristic feature is the ink sac, which it can use to release a cloud of ink and escape if it feels threatened.

The squid, a masterful camouflage artist and an elegant hunter, is native to the eastern North Atlantic, including the North Sea all the way down to West Africa. It normally lives in coastal waters, but also explores the depths of the Mediterranean, including the Adriatic. It feels at home at depths of up to 100 meters, but can occasionally reach depths of 400 to 500 meters.

Its locomotion pattern is a true masterpiece of nature: By sucking in water and expelling it again, they swim through the waters. The ejected water acts like a catapult. Squid can therefore move very quickly. With its long tentacles, it glides through the water in search of prey as it moves elegantly between coral reefs and rocky outcrops. Its ability to change color enables it to adapt perfectly to its surroundings and outwit both hunters and prey.

The flesh of the squid is delicate and slightly sweet in taste. It absorbs flavors excellently, which makes it a popular ingredient in many dishes. The texture of the squid meat is tender yet firm, making it ideal for various cooking methods.

Fin seam

This is used when swimming above the ground.

Mantle

The water is drawn into the mantle cavity and pressed out again.

Fin seam

This is used when swimming above the ground.

Mantle

The water is drawn into the mantle cavity and pressed out again.

Fun fact:

The name is derived from the Italian word "calamaro", which originally had the meaning of an "inkwell", a "pen case" or a "fountain pen" in Italian. These names were used because cuttlefish are known to spray ink. It is therefore quite understandable that this characteristic property has significantly shaped the name of this globally prized food.