Cinco de Mayo
The Miami Marlins Go Above and Beyond to Help the Environment
She's New Orleans’ Biggest Praline Producer and You Don't Know Her Name
+

Fried Calamari

Deep-Frying Seafood Squid Appetizer New Year's Eve Christmas Italian Frying Tapas Buttermilk Italian-American Holidays Comfort Food Pescatarian Medium
Deep-Frying Seafood Squid Appetizer New Year's Eve Christmas Italian Frying Tapas Buttermilk Italian-American Holidays Comfort Food Pescatarian Medium
Sign up to save this recipe to your profile
Fried Calamari
6 to 8 servings Medium
4.0 15
(15) Total: Active:
PREVIOUS: Lemon Pound Cake NEXT: Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Artichokes...

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
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
Tip
When Is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is on Dec. 31. This year, New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday.
Read More
1 of 8
Next: What Is New Year's Eve?
Tip
What Is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is the last day of the year on the Gregorian calendar.
Read More
2 of 8
Next: How to Celebrate New Year's Eve
Tip
How to Celebrate New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is typically celebrated with a party that culminates in a countdown. Many people drink champagne, dance, enjoy music, and light fireworks. Various "good luck foods" like black-eyed peas and grapes are also served to ring in the new year. In the U.S., the old Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung as partygoers exchange hugs and kisses at midnight.
Read More
3 of 8
Next: Who Celebrates New Year's Eve?
Tip
Who Celebrates New Year's Eve?
Anyone can celebrate New Year's Eve if they follow the Gregorian calendar.
Read More
4 of 8
Next: Why Do We Celebrate New Year's Eve on Dec. 31?
Tip
Why Do We Celebrate New Year's Eve on Dec. 31?
Dec. 31 is the last day of the Gregorian calendar. It precedes Jan. 1, the first day of a new year (New Year's Day).
Read More
5 of 8
Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?
Tip
Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?
There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.
Read More
6 of 8
Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?
Tip
What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.
Read More
7 of 8
Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?
Tip
How Can We Celebrate Christmas?
Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.
Read More
8 of 8
Next: When Is New Year's Eve?

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

Instructions

  1. 1Place calamari in a medium nonreactive bowl, cover with buttermilk, and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  2. 2Heat the oven to 200°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels.
  3. 3Combine flour and salt in a large bowl and whisk to aerate and break up any lumps; set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. 5Return the oil to 400°F and repeat the process with the remaining calamari (about 5 to 6 batches total). Serve with lemon wedges.
Load Comments

Recommended from Chowhound

(03:55)
Why State Bird Provisions Modeled Itself After Dim Sum Dining
Chef/Owners Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski visit one of San Francisco’s most celebrated dim sum houses to discuss the inspiration for their popular restaurant State Bird Provisions.
Photo Gallery

Christmas Day Feast, Italian Style
13 Photos
Christmas Italian Holidays
Photo Gallery

Fish Recipes for Christmas
15 Photos
Christmas Christmas Eve Italian Fish Holidays
Up Next
Inside an Iconic 90-Year-Old Drive-In
(02:48)
Up Next
Tracing the Evolution of Boston's Chinatown with Local Chefs
(05:10)
Recipe
Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish-Style Artichokes)
Recipe
Sautéed Calamari with Parsley and Garlic
Recipe
Deep-Fried Whiting