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Italian Calamari Salad

Calamari rings and tentacles tossed together in a flavorful lemon vinaigrette with celery, olives, roasted red peppers, and fresh parsley.

Prep Time
28 mins
Cook Time
28 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 359 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Mix together in bowl
  • 1 pound (454g) calamari cleaned, tubes cut into 1/2" circles and tentacles left whole
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • water enough to cover calamari in bowl
For the salad
  • 1 cup chopped celery thinly sliced on a bias
  • 1/2 cup chopped red roasted peppers
  • 1/2 cup Sicilian green olives pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf Italian parsley
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) lemon juice plus more to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120g) extra virgin olive oil plus more to taste
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse and clean calamari then cut into rings and cut any large tentacles in half. Mix calamari with salt, baking soda, and enough water to cover and set aside for 15 minutes.
  2. Place celery, red roasted peppers, olives, onion, garlic, parsley, crushed red pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil into a large bowl and mix together.
  3. Set up a bowl of ice water and bring a large pot of water to boil.
  4. Drain calamari well then boil in water for two minutes or until cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, place cooked calamari in the ice water bath immediately.
  5. Once calamari is cold, drain and then add to the bowl of veggies and mix together. Taste test and season with salt to taste.
  6. Chill the calamari salad in the fridge for at least a couple of hours. Before serving, taste test and add more olive oil, lemon juice, or salt and pepper if required. Enjoy!

Notes

  • It's recommended to use squid that are about 6 inches long.  If using very large squid, it's best to cut thinner rings and to cut the tentacles in half or into quarters.  
  • Sodium levels reflect the addition of 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, but salt to taste.
  • Make sure to taste test the calamari salad right before serving and add any extra olive oil, lemon juice, or salt and pepper as required.
  • It's best to chill the salad for at least a couple of hours, but it's even better if left overnight so that the flavors come together.
  • Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information

Calories 359kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 7.3g (2%) Protein 18.2g (36%) Fat 28.7g (44%) Saturated Fat 4.4g (22%) Cholesterol 264mg (88%) Sodium 839mg (35%) Potassium 379mg (11%) Fiber 1.2g (5%) Sugar 1.7g (3%) Calcium 66mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 359

% Daily Value*

Calories 359kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 7.3g 2%
Protein 18.2g 36%
Fat 28.7g 44%
Saturated Fat 4.4g 22%
Cholesterol 264mg 88%
Sodium 839mg 35%
Potassium 379mg 8%
Fiber 1.2g 5%
Sugar 1.7g 3%
Calcium 66mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.