La Cucina di Kat: Cleaning Calamari

Cleaning Calamari...Arrrggghhh!

Most of the time I try to buy Calamari that is pre-cleaned. Sometimes though, I can only find it frozen in a 3lb box and because I'm the kind of person that has made her mind up that she's cooking Calamari that day...I'm forced to clean it! Arrrgghhh! Okay...quit with the drama - It's really not that bad. Just messy and tedious! 

Here's what a 3lb box of frozen Calamari looks like. These are very small ones and I prefer a littler larger...but after travelling to 3 stores today on the search for Calamari...beggers can't be choosers! 

(Click on photo's for expanded view)

A thawed whole Calamari:

After you thaw the Calamari...Grab the head with the tentacles and hold onto the body. Give it a quick pull and it should separate, pulling most of the innards with it. Scoop out as much of the innards as you can.



Peel the skin off of the Calamari as well as the fins. It's a light membrane that's full of ink.



Feel for the "Quill" or the "Backbone" - it's a clear plastic looking strip that runs up one side of the squid.



Voila!!!!



Now - It's time to deal with the Tentacles (If you're using them) Trim off any attached innards and lay the head flat.



Cut just below the eyes. After you cut, you'll notice that there is a little hard ball (something like a soft pearl). Just pop it out.



Here's the 3 lbs of Squid completely cleaned and ready to go!



I sincerely hope you enjoyed this presentation and still continue to like Calamari! hehe

Braised Stuffed Calamari Recipe from Anne Burrell