Calamari, (Italian for squid) is one of my favourite foods. So much so, that I’ve often said I could subsist on it. It’s extremely popular in many parts of the world, including Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, India, Japan etc. as well as North America.
I’ve had the pleasure of sampling it in various countries and each experience was delicious, but I’ve never attempted to clean it. Not for the squeamish! 🙂
There are different ways of preparing calamari. The most universally popular is to fry the rings and serve them with lemon and various sauces. In Italy they mostly use Marinara (tomato) sauce.
In Greece also, as well as Tzatziki. North America embraces both, plus seafood cocktail sauce, lemon garlic aioli, etc. etc. There’s a host of recipes online if you’re interested. One of the local restaurants serves it on a bed of fried Rapini.
Grilled Calamari is a healthy alternative and only contains
80 calories for a 4 ounce serving.
See nutrition facts here.
I love fresh Calamari antipasto most of all.
Our favourite restaurant (sadly, now closed), made THE BEST version I have ever tasted!
We took some home after every visit and truly miss it.
Well, I’m hungry now!
Does any of this look appetizing to you, or would you rather pass?
Looking forward to your comments!
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
55 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: “C” is for CALAMARI”
I’m a great fan of calamari.
Hi Stevie; I love it, myself. Thanks for visiting. 🙂 I’ll try to get back to WeWriWa one of these days. Have a good week.
Calamari isn’t a favorite of mine, but all the recipes are interesting and I might try some of them.
Sunni
Hi Sunni; It’s an acquired taste, I’d say. 🙂 Everybody’s different and I had never even heard of it until my Italian hubby urged me to try some. Thanks for visiting.
Checking out your blog via the Blog Challenge (also subscribed to it as I figure now would be a good time to freshen up my subscriptions).
Not a fan of calamari, but my mother and late father enjoyed it (Italian household) quiet a bit.
Nice to meet you and welcome to The Den. 🙂 Yes, Calamari is very popular with Italians. My husband, also an Italian is the one who introduced me to it. Thanks for visiting and subscribing. I have done the same. Cheers!
I have never tried this. Somehow the idea of squid just makes me a bit squeamish! It doesn’t look to bad in your pictures. Perhaps one day I will get over myself and give it a whirl. You only live once! ♥
Sure – why not be a little adventurous? 😉 Somehow, “Calamari” sounds much more appetizing than squid, yes? Thanks for visiting.
I love calamari! I’ve only had it fried though. Can’t imagine how the calamari pasta would be. Looks great though! Now you got me hungry! Lol
Calamari with pasta is excellent too, but I still prefer the antipasto. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
I love Calamari! It used to be my number one favorite food, but it got bumped by chicken tikka masala, which I used to eat every chance I got at this awesome Indian restaurant in my city, which really wasn’t that often because the place was always super-busy during their lunch buffet. I’m sure that’s all very fascinating to you. Anyway, nice post! P.S. I’ll bet they have awesome Calamari in India.
I’ve never had chicken tikka masala, but it sounds good! 🙂 They probably do have awesome calamari in India. Would like to visit there one day to find out. Thanks for dropping by.
I love how delicious it looks! I’m a vegetarian, so just going to do the looking at pretty food thing!
I’m getting quite a few vegetarians here today, LOL. Glad you’re not put off by this. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Stopping by from the A to Z challenge. We write about pet food and wellness as part of our overall mission to use technology to improve the lives of pets and their owners.
Not big Calamari fans, although we are very big fans of sea food in general, for both humans and dogs (and some cats who can tolerate it). Used to use squid for bait when fishing and it took 2-3 days to wash the odor from our hands!
Welcome to The Den, Steve 🙂 Healthy pet food is very important. Kudos to you for spreading the word! I love seafood in general too, with a couple of exceptions, like oysters and mussels. Thanks for visiting.
I love sea food and this is going to be the next thing I try.
Heck! I love food!!
Good post and got hungry too. Crispy fried ones seem to be the best.
Thanks Debbie.
If you love seafood, you’ll enjoy calamari, I’m sure! 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
I quickly scrolled past that “how to prepare” video, but I have enjoyed fried calamari – about the only kind available here in Colorado. Had a friend order calamari steak once in California; I never knew it was available any way but fried circles! I only like it if it’s not too rubbery. Good choice for a post, and the pictures make me want it.
Many ways to prepare Calamari, Sammy. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
I am a vegetarian but my brother is quite fond of seafood. I am sure he will very much like the Calamari antipasto. I am sending him the picture now, since it is his dinner time almost!
I’m getting a few vegetarians here today. 🙂 Sorry, hope this didn’t offend! The antipasto is my favourite and I’m sure your brother will like it. Thanks for visiting.
Oh no offense, Debbie! not at all 🙂
Good; thanks 🙂
Nice post and videos but, to be honest I hate Calamari and I’ve tried it a couple of times.
Ah, sorry about that, Belinda. We all have foods we don’t like. I can’t stand oysters or mussels, for instance. Anyway, thanks for visiting. The next post isn’t about food. 🙂
I’ve only ever had fried calamari, and it was probably destroyed in the process. I’d be open to trying it prepared another way, but would have be sure it was absolutely fresh so I wouldn’t have an experience that will scar me for life.
Oh yes – it would have to be fresh! The antipasto is my favourite. 🙂 Thanks for visiting Lynda.
I love fried calamari but that’s the inky east I can eat it. If it looks squidly, I can’t touch it. Interesting post Debbie. Now I’m hungry too!
Hahaha! They do have the ones with the tentacles, too. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Bren.
Love calamari! The best kind ive ever had was in Hawaii- it was so fresh and breaded perfectly!!!
Hi Jessica; Hawaii – would love to go there! 😀 Thanks for visiting and I’ll be checking out your travel posts.
As a strict vegetarian this is more of a horror than a treat 😀 😀
Oh sorry, Richa. Hadn’t considered that! 🙁 I have a friend who calls herself vegetarian. She eats no meat, but does enjoy seafood. Is there such a thing as a “partial” vegetarian? Anyway, thanks for visiting.
I love Calamari 😀 delicious 😀
Me too! 🙂 It’s one of those foods known the world over. Thanks for visiting.
Bad idea for a vegetarian.. but my bloodthristy son has been watching that video with such relish!!
Oh sorry, hadn’t considered that. Glad your son liked it, anyway. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
Love Squids! the deep fried cripsy ones…
Me too, Sheethal! 🙂 I love them all and seafood in general. Thanks for visiting.
Love, love, love calamari! Especially with pepper and lemon and hot chips by the beach…
I haven’t ever been brave enough to cook it myself…
Sounds good to me! 🙂 Love the beach scene that just came to mind as well. I’ve never tried to prepare them myself either. Thanks for visiting.
I have never had Calamari…Now I really want to try…God I feel so hungry now 😀
If you like seafood, then calamari is delectable! 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
You made nw hungry!!! I love seafood of any kind.. This is certainly my kinda food!
Yeah – mine too, Adita. 🙂 Bon appetit.
I love squid. But the first time I prepared it, I realized how horribly wrong it could go when my nephew said, “It’s spicy but tasteless!” He was right. 😉
Now I make it with pasta and it’s not bad.
I’ve never actually prepared it myself and know there’s an art to it. It can become very rubbery if cooked too long.
I may not cook or try this but I can share this with my friends. They will love this!!
Not everyone likes seafood, but the ones who do, will be sure to enjoy it. 🙂
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