Calamari rings or strips bear so little resemblance to the squid from which they came that it is hard to know where to begin when confronted with a fresh squid. If done correctly, however, squid cleaning can be simple, quick, and minimally messy.

Steps

  1. 1
    Lay squid on a sheet of newspaper. You will see the head, where the eyes and tentacles are, is distinctly separate from the body, or mantle.
  2. 2
    Put on rubber or latex gloves. These are not necessary for safely handling squid, but will keep squid residue from getting on your hands and imparting a "fishy" smell.
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  3. 3
    Grasp the squid's head right behind the eyes where it joins the mantle. Pull gently and steadily forward, keeping a firm grasp on the head. The internal organs should slide out.[1]
  4. 4
    Reach into the mantle, which now resembles an empty sack. Feel for a hard, fingernail like sheathing; grab this and pull it out.[2]
  5. 5
    Gently scrape the outer surface of the mantle with a sharp knife. The speckles on the squid should peel off in a cellophane-like sheet, leaving behind slick white meat.[3]
  6. 6
    Cut the mantle into rings by slicing vertical to the line of the squid's back. Set aside.[4]
  7. 7
    Fold the newspaper around the unwanted squid parts, and dispose.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Is it okay to eat squid?
    Qamar
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, squid is edible, as long as it is prepared properly and cooked well.
  • Question
    How long should I poach squid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    North Beach Restaurant in San Francisco makes great marinated calamari. They told me to boil it 3 minutes, then remove and cool it under running water. I think you should bring the water to a boil BEFORE you drop the squid into the hot water. Otherwise, it will be in hot water too long and become tough.
  • Question
    Can I eat the head of the squid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can eat the head, but you cannot eat the beak.
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Warnings

  • Like all seafood, squid must be either cooked or refrigerated promptly to reduce disease risk.
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Things You'll Need

  • Squid
  • Sharp knife
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Newspaper
  • A plate or Tupperware container

About This Article

Tested by:
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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 154,542 times.
3 votes - 93%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: March 8, 2022
Views: 154,542
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