what is Calamari? All About Our Favorite Italian Appetizer

At Zucca Bar & Pizzeria, the best Italian style pizza near me, one of the most popular Italian appetizers on our menu is the calamari. But have you ever wondered, “what is calamari”? And what does calamari taste like? We've got these answers and more this week, so get ready to dive in!

When wondering “what is calamari, many people often ask, "Is calamari octopus?" 

While it's easy to confuse the two with their distinctive heads and tentacles, they are quite different from each other in taste and preparation. And while they may look alike, the Italian word "calamari" refers to a very specific cephalopod: squid.

Popular in Mediterranean dishes and found all around the world, this Italian appetizer can be prepared in a number of different delicious ways. Here in the United States, the term “calamari” is most often used in reference to the sliced, battered, and deep-fried appetizer popular in local restaurants and bars. 

So, what does calamari look like? Fried calamari looks like tiny crispy onion rings. It often includes the edible tentacles as well as the meaty body, which is commonly sliced into small rings. In other dishes, it might be stuffed, sliced into strips, or served whole.

Calamari is white and firm, with a mildly sweet, almost nutty flavor. It’s not fishy, so don’t expect any aftertaste. Like many seafoods, squid absorbs spices and seasonings, performing well with flavorful marinades. 

Grilled or broiled squid can be quite tender, but when fried, thin slices of calamari become firm and slightly chewy. It’s important to avoid over-cooking calamari, as it can turn rubbery with too much heat. 

Great Italian restaurant chefs know how to perfectly season and flash fry calamari so it remains perfectly al-dente. Topped with bright lemon juice or dipped in fresh marinara or garlic aioli, every bite is a delicious explosion of texture and flavor. 

Now that you have the answer to “what is calamari,” you may be wondering where does calamari come from. There are more than 300 species of squid living in our oceans, and they can be found all over the globe. Chances are though, when you find squid in a restaurant or store, it's one of only a few types marketed as calamari.

Loligo squid is a Mediterranean specialty and is often featured in Italian calamari dishes. This species is smaller and more tender than some of the bigger varieties on the market, with a mild, sweet taste that diners prefer. 

While fried calamari is popular in America, in Italy it’s a staple in coastal cuisine, served grilled, stuffed, or marinated in salads, pastas, and risottos. High in protein, low in fat, and packed with vitamin B12, calamari is lean meat perfect for heart-healthy Mediterranean diets.   

The best way to answer the question, "What is calamari?" is to try it! Zucca Bar & Pizzeria serves some of the freshest, best-tasting calamari among local Smyrna Italian Restaurants .  

Perfectly cooked, and never rubbery, we batter calamari rings and coat them in breadcrumbs, then serve them up with our delicious homemade marinara sauce to make our popular Italian appetizer. There’s plenty to share, but it’s so good you might not want to! Join us for lunch and dinner this week and enjoy covered patio dining in Smyrna along with some of the best cocktails around. We’ll be saving you a seat!