Introduction
The squid is a mollusc, widespread every where in the seas, with different species, even if what is called “European” is also being present in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean. The scientific name of the European squid is “Loligo Vulgaris”. Obviously European squid are not the only ones to be edible. Among the sub-family genus and different species, we have the “Dosidicus Gigas”, also called “Red Devil” because his voracity. They are also bigger than the European squid, and their fishing is very widespread in Chile, Mexico and Peru, for example.
Another species widespread in the Mediterranean Sea is what are called in Italian the Little Squid (Calamaretto), present also in the north-eastern Atlantic Sea. Then there are the giant squid, but they are not within the ordinary fishing.
The squid is a cephalopod molluscs, with a brain, eyes, beak mouth, and tentacles. His body looks like a bag that contains a shell with the function of protection for the organs. The body is conical-shaped with a gladius of transparent chitin, thin and long, the help him. Laterally has two triangular-shaped fins. The skin has a pink color, that tending to purple.
The squid has 10 tentacles, of which two are very long and are used for hunting. The European squid is 50 centimeters long, and could be maximum a half a kilo.
Habitat and reproduction
Squids live on the seabed of various kinds, both rocky or sandy ones, where the Posidonia grew up. The squid love the low water temperature, such as the reproduction take place in winter, or in the springtime. That depends on the areas. Generally, the squid lives in depths abyssal seabed.
There are areas where the squid is always available, even near the coast, maybe due to the favourable conditions, like availability of food and temperature of the water, or conformation of the bottom. The squid prefers to hunt during the night, when it can come up on the surface of the sea without to much risks. They hunt fish like crustaceans and molluscs, and sometime they are cannibals.
In the kitchen
The squid can be cooked in many ways, and in Italy there are a lots of recipes, both fried than stew or grilled. It needs to be cleaned before consumption, removing the gladius, the eyes and the mouth that is beak-shape. You have to remove also the bowels because they contain the ink. The ink is edible but could color the food, so it is used only in some special recipes, like some risotto.
Also the skin must be removed, for better results, has well the body must be emptied.
The squid can be boiled, stewed, grilled or fried for pasta sauce, polenta, or even for risottos and soups. The squid is also delicious cooked wothout tomato sauce, in salads or stewed with some white wine.
