Here at Costas Inn, we proudly serve calamari as one of the spotlighted items on our appetizer menu. But we understand that many of our customers might not know what it is before they try it for the first time. Well, we’re here to suggest that you do give it a try, and you might be surprised by how much you like it!
What It Is
Part of the reason why you might not know what calamari is is that you’re unfamiliar with the word. It’s just squid. Squids belong to the mollusk family and are related to cuttlefish and octopi. Fresh squid is often sold as calamari to make it sound more elegant and refined. Wild squids can be anywhere from a single inch to 80 feet long, but most of the time, the squids that are used for culinary purposes are at most a foot long.
Quick Cooking Tips
If you want to learn how to cook calamari, then you’re in luck! Grilling, broiling, sauteing, and deep-frying are the four most common methods used to prepare this dish. It can also be eaten raw, particularly in sushi. While the ink might not seem appetizing at first, it too can be used for food. Try changing the color of rice or pasta for a unique dining experience!
The Taste
Ultimately, you’ll probably be curious what calamari is supposed to taste like, right? It’s mild and sweet and has hints of nuts in its flavor profile. The smaller fried squid shouldn’t taste rubbery; if they do, they were either overcooked or undercooked. Fried calamari is often served with either garlic aioli or marinara sauce so that they can be eaten like breadsticks or mozzarella sticks! Plus, no matter how you cook it, the squid absorbs the flavors of all the sauces, seasonings, and sides that you serve it with!
YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION
Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.
You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for any time eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Tags: calamari, Costas Inn, menu items