Fried squid or in Spanish calamares fritos is a very popular appetizer or tapa in Spain and here in the USA. You might know this dish by the name Calamares a la Romana. Fresh or frozen squid can be purchased in most grocery stores, in the frozen food section, a dozen to a box. If your market does not carry it, ask at the fish counter or the butcher to order it for you. We are lucky enough to live near a number of Asian supermarkets, where we head straight to the fresh fish counter. If there are Asian supermarkets in your area, visit them to see their fresh fish and seafood selection. It is probably spectacular!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings as an appetizer
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs cleaned squid
- 1/4 + lb flour
- 24 – 32 oz Spanish olive oil for frying
- salt to taste
- 1 lemon
Preparation:
Wherever and however you buy the squid, they need to be cleaned before cooking. The spines, ink sacks and heads should be discarded. If you are cleaning the squid yourself, don’t throw away the tentacles because those are good to eat, too! Cleaned, frozen squid bodies may also be available and are good to make large calamar rings.
Once the squid is cleaned, dry them thoroughly. Cut the squid bodies into rings.
Pour a half-inch of olive oil into a large open frying pan and put on high heat for frying, but be careful that the oil does not smoke.
Place a couple handfuls of flour and a bit of salt into a large plastic bag. Place a few pieces into the bag and shake to cover with flour. Remove the rings one at a time with your hands and carefully place in the hot oil. Continue to cover pieces in flour and add to the pan. Leave enough room in the pan to turn over pieces if necessary. Fry until the rings turn golden. When done, remove from pan and allow to drain on a paper towel. Serve hot with lemon!
