What Is Calamari?

Calamari is squid prepared as food. The word "calamari" is Italian for squid, and on menus it almost always refers to squid that's been cleaned, sliced into rings (from the body/tube) plus the tentacles, then cooked — most famously breaded and deep-fried.

What it's like:

• Taste: Mild and slightly sweet, not strongly "fishy." It mostly takes on the flavor of how it's seasoned and cooked.
• Texture: Tender and a little springy when cooked correctly; rubbery if overcooked.
• Appearance: The classic dish is golden rings, often served with lemon and a dipping sauce like marinara or aioli.

How it's cooked: Besides frying, calamari is also grilled, sautéed, stuffed, or added to pasta, salads, and seafood stews. The cooking rule is fast and hot, or low and slow — anything in between makes it tough and chewy.

Calamari vs. octopus: They're often confused, but they're different animals. Squid (calamari) is smaller, milder, and more tender; octopus is meatier and denser. Both are cephalopods.

Nutrition note: Squid itself is lean and high in protein, though the popular fried version adds calories from the breading and oil.