What trimming do you do on seafood like squid (removing head, innards)?

Question

Understand What trimming do you do on seafood like squid (removing head, innards).

Answer 1

To prepare squid, remove the head and tentacles, pull out the innards and quill, and then rinse the body and tentacles thoroughly.

Detailed Explanation:

Cleaning squid involves a few simple steps to remove the inedible parts and prepare it for cooking. Here's a breakdown:

1. Separate the Head and Tentacles: Hold the squid body in one hand and the head in the other. Gently pull them apart. The innards will usually come out attached to the head.

2. Remove the Innards: With the head detached, you'll see the innards connected to it. Discard these. You can also remove the beak (a hard, parrot-like mouth) located at the center of the tentacles by squeezing it out.

3. Remove the Quill: Inside the squid's body, you'll find a clear, plastic-like structure called the quill or pen. Gently pull it out. It should slide out easily.

4. Remove the Skin (Optional): The outer skin of the squid is edible, but some people prefer to remove it. You can peel it off with your fingers or a small knife. It's easiest to do this under running water.

5. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the squid body and tentacles thoroughly under cold running water to remove any remaining sand or debris.

6. Cut the Body (Optional): You can leave the squid body whole or cut it into rings or tubes, depending on your recipe.

Pro Tip:

Don't overcook squid! It becomes tough and rubbery very quickly. Cook it either very briefly (1-2 minutes) or for a long time (over 30 minutes) to tenderize it.