Seafood

Italian Calamari Salad

by:
May  1, 2011
5
3 Ratings
Italian Calamari Salad
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 2-4 as appetizer
Author Notes

This is a wonderful, clean and light salad that's perfect for a first course. It really let's the calamari be the star of the show.
I've been making variations of this for my family for several years and it gets an enthusiastic reception every time.
You can certainly add shrimp or mussels but letting the squid fly solo makes it easier, faster and even tastier. —blanka.n

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Cooked Calamari
  • 1 pound calamari, cleaned
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 8 peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 lemon
  • Salad
  • 1 Lemon
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 Celery Stalk, thinly sliced
  • 1 Large fire-roasted red pepper, sliced into matchsticks
  • 1 cup Kalamata Olives, halved
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley
  • 2 scallion, sliced thin on diagonal
Directions
  1. The cooking of the calamari is the most important part of this dish. You must cook it for no more then 2-3 minutes. Just til it's done, a little curled and white. Bring medium pot of water to a boil and squeeze in lemon. Throw lemon into water along with the rest of the ingredients. Add the calamari and boil til just tender. About 2 minutes. When the calamari is done, remove with a slotted spoon to a large (preferably) glass bowl and immediately squeeze lemon over the hot squid rings.
  2. Now add the rest of your salad ingredients. Do this quickly so the calamari has a chance to really absorb the flavor of each ingredient. Stir well after each addition.
  3. Cover bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve. Variations: capers, yellow pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes
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4 Reviews

Ronnie
Ronnie January 10, 2024
I have made this recipe several times. My family loves it! Its so light and fresh tasting! I feel good about it being a healthy choice, too. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
 
jdspring
jdspring June 22, 2015
Fine recipe! Thanks.
 
Irma N.
Irma N. December 16, 2014
Excellent, authentically Italian and DELICIOUS!! Family loves it. Heed cooking or you will get white rubber bands. Enjoy.
 
Deidrelois
Deidrelois June 23, 2013
I've made this salad multiple times and am always so pleased with the results. YES, it is very important to follow the cooking directions for the squid as it becomes rubbery very quickly.