Title: Squid Info - 4 How To Clean a Squid
Categories: Seafood Info
Yield: 1 Info file

Information only

Hold the hood in one hand and pinch the quill (transparent backbone) with the index finger and thumb of opposite hand, separating the quill from the hood. Gently pull the quill out of the hood. The head and guts will come out with it. Throw away the quill.

Put the head and innards down on the cutting board. Cut off the tentacles just in front of the eyes. Squeeze the tentacles near the cut and the hard, parrot-like beak will pop out. Throw away the innards, the part of the head connected to them, and the beak.

Scrape the inside of the mantle with the knife to remove any interior membrane remaining. Peel the mottled brown or purple membrane off the hood, leaving you with a nice white hood ready to cook.

The best way to eat the tentacles: dredge in seasoned flour and fry as an appetizer, or use whole in sauces, boulliabaise, or zuppa di pesche. You can also chop it finely and use it as part of the stuffing for stuffed squid, but that's such a waste of tender, tasty meat.

To eat the hood: Keep it whole for use in recipes or to stuff; or cut it in rings, dredge in seasoned flour, and fry for a calamari appetizer.

Source and MM: Dave Sacerdote

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