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MARINATED GRILLED FRESH CALAMARI WITH LEMON AND SPICES

By Delicious Recipes!Posted on
MARINATED GRILLED FRESH CALAMARI WITH LEMON AND SPICES

MARINATED GRILLED FRESH CALAMARI WITH LEMON AND SPICES

This recipe celebrates fresh calamari marinated in zesty lemon, cumin, and smoky paprika, then quickly grilled to tender perfection. Follow our guide to selecting and cleaning fresh calamari to get the best flavor and texture for your dish.

Ingredients

  • 6 fresh calamari
  • 1 lemon (zest and juice)
  • 4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
  • Β½ teaspoon ground cumin (or ground coriander seeds)
  • Β½ teaspoon hot paprika
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Lime wedges, for serving

How to Choose Fresh Calamari

  • The skin should have small purplish-red spots, not brown.
  • The white tube beneath the skin should be glossy, not dull white.
  • Tentacles should feel firm and elastic, not soft or mushy.

How to Clean Calamari

  1. Peel off the skin starting from the tail; it should come off easily.
  2. Pull out the head (tentacles attached) along with the intestines; discard the intestines.
  3. Clean the white tube inside: first remove a transparent plastic-like bone, then clear out any gelatinous residue. Rinse thoroughly under running water.
  4. Clean the head: remove the cartilage located between the tentacles by squeezing at the base, then cut off the eyes with scissors or a knife.

Preparation and Cooking

  1. In a bowl, mix lemon zest, juice from half a lemon, ground cumin, crushed garlic, hot paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add the cleaned calamari to the bowl, tossing well to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Heat a grill pan over high heat (no oil needed).
  4. Drain the calamari from the marinade and place on the hot grill pan.
  5. Cook for 3 minutes on each side until tender and slightly charred.
  6. Serve immediately with lime or lemon wedges for squeezing.

πŸ’‘ Tips

  • Marinate just long enough to infuse flavor without overpowering the delicate calamari.
  • High heat grilling ensures a quick sear that keeps calamari tender.
  • Fresh lemon or lime wedges add a bright finishing touch.

πŸŽ‰ Perfect For

  • Light summer dinners
  • Seafood lovers wanting a quick and flavorful dish
  • Pairing with crisp white wine or cold beer

πŸ“ Final Thoughts

Fresh calamari grilled with a fragrant lemon and spice marinade is an easy, impressive dish that brings coastal flavors to your table. Proper selection and cleaning make all the difference for a tender, delicious result.