Fried Calamari

Name: Fried Calamari
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds cleaned calamari, bodies cut into 1/2-inch rings and tentacles left whole; 2 cups well-shaken buttermilk; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons kosher salt; Canola oil, for frying; 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

Deep-Frying Seafood Squid Appetizer New Year's Eve Christmas Italian Frying Tapas Buttermilk Italian-American Holidays Comfort Food Pescatarian Medium

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6 to 8 servings Medium

Total: 1 hr 45 mins Active: 25 mins

15 Ratings

Ingredients (6)

1 1/2 pounds cleaned calamari, bodies cut into 1/2-inch rings and tentacles left whole
2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons kosher salt
Canola oil, for frying
1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

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Nutritional Information

Calories728
Fat43.75g
Saturated fat3.96g
Trans fat0.16g
Carbs56.0g
Fiber1.96g
Sugar4.32g
Protein26.93g
Cholesterol267.49mg
Sodium716.38mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (6 servings) Powered by

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Marinating the squid in buttermilk defeats the rubber band effect some fried calamari tends to have. It also helps create a light, crisp batter and more flavorful calamari, so the only garnish needed is a squeeze of lemon.

Special equipment: You will need a deep-frying/candy thermometer for this recipe.

What to buy: If you purchase whole, uncleaned calamari, 1 pound yields about a 1/2 pound of cleaned calamari.

Game plan: The key to crispy calamari is frying only a handful at a time. Crowding the pan makes for clumpy batter and a greasy result.

This recipe was featured as part of our Christmas Day Feast, Italian Style menu.

by Christine Gallary

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Instructions

1Place calamari in a medium nonreactive bowl, cover with buttermilk, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
2Heat the oven to 200°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels.
3Combine flour and salt in a large bowl and whisk to aerate and break up any lumps; set aside.
4Pour 2 inches of the canola oil into a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over high heat until the oil reaches 400°F on a deep-frying/candy thermometer. Remove a handful of the calamari from the buttermilk, place it in the flour mixture, and toss to evenly coat. Transfer calamari to a fine mesh strainer and gently shake any excess flour back into the bowl. Carefully place the calamari in the oil and fry until light golden brown, about 1 minute. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet using a slotted spoon, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the baking sheet in the oven to keep warm.
5Return the oil to 400°F and repeat the process with the remaining calamari (about 5 to 6 batches total). Serve with lemon wedges.

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