I'm a big fan of both Squid and Octopus. Sadly such things are only rarely available fresh here in England; unlike in France where they are commonly sold everywhere. I wonder why this should be? Fish needs a regular and quick turnover, so if there is no market for it, it would soon be curling at the edges. I presume that's the explanation.
However, I do often buy jars of mixed Octopus/Squid in oil (below), but frankly it's not that wonderful.
I think the English have a problem eating anything that doesn't look like a maiden's buttocks. Anything fishy that has tentacles, eyes, or looks as if it was once alive, is a no-no. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard people saying "Oh, I couldn't eat that!" whilst looking at something that isn't perfectly round and beige. Hide it under batter or breadcrumbs and it's OK, but people are reluctant to eat it if it looks like what it actually is.
It's a well known saying that people first eat with their eyes, but this is nonsense. It's taste/flavour that counts. Personally I couldn't care less what something looks like as long as it tastes good, and Octopus certainly passes that test.
Just ask any Greek person.
26 comments:
Oh definitely! Life would be very sad without their Kalamari, octopus and ouzo. It's the first thing that our down under guests ask for. Not our English. Most feel like heroes if they even have a taste. Odd that. They eat jellied eels and whelks.
K has a few in the freezer for family this summer. They're not quite as abundant as they used to be. He buys them fresh when he finds them from fishermen friends. Octopus and Kalamari, Grilled, fried, baked or boiled, they'll be on the menu.
I hope you can enjoy them in France this summer
I certainly will. It's one of the first things I buy. Oysters too; we buy them in boxes of several dozen. Not expensive, and delicious. Over the channel in Dieppe all is available; but not here.
I don't eat jellied eels or whelks.
I eat BOTH.
I try to avoid most seafood following a very violent gastric experience after eating lobster. Even now the memory of that makes me shudder whenever I see, or think about, any of those delicacies you mention.
That's a shame. But I know how you feel, I've known several people who've had the same experience.
I love both octopus and squid enjoyed smoked eels when living in Holland. I remember my grandad picking winkles out of their shells with a sewing needle! In summer, I stuff squid with feta, spinach and lemon juice and grill on the BBQ.
I think life is too short to eat winkles; buy Whelks, much more satisfying. I like my squid BBQ'd with just salt and pepper.
To enjoy squid and baby octopi fully, they should be alive on your plate and freshly caught. Just salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon then down the gullet tout de suite before they escape from your plate.
Smoked eel is delicious. I am not too fond of octopus although I have eaten it in Greece freshly caught and grilled over olive wood and it was succulent and tasty. I do prefer any sort of seafood to meet generally speaking. I think we should all try something first before saying we couldn't eat ut. Regards Sue H
Bulots with some walnut vinegar and decent bread. Bliss
I adore squid, octopus and love oysters but, unfortunately, oysters don’t seem to like me ! I think it’s something to do with being live and my stomach. I am mortified because I absolutely LOVE them. There are many fishmongers online that would deliver fresh squid and octopus and a wet fish shop but there aren’t many of those now. XXXX
I like mine cooked; they're slippery customers otherwise!
As you say, smoked Eel is delicious. It's silly to say you don't like something before trying it. People miss-out on so much.
I usually have mine with red wine vinegar and plenty of freshly ground pepper.
We do have a good fish shop here, but it's a long way away, and frankly I can't be bothered.
The best octopus I ever had was on the island of Athena, fresh, and grilled over wood along the harbor front.
That sounds like my experience, but in Kos, in a tiny beach-side tavern.
You are right about pepper.
Anyone who's eaten them raw has all their own teeth. They'd choke you unless chopped up very finely.
Their brains are in their tentacles much like most lefties.
Sorry to disappoint, but the real reason is that we stick to minimum catch sizes (ie the size of the marine creature being caught) and the French don't. Voila!
No-one has mentioned snails: enjoyed many times in Majorca!
Calamari, squid and eel are all generally available in the Northeast of US. It is the lobsters that out-of-towners want. Logan airport (Boston, MA, US) sells them and prepares them for the flight.
The French are very strict too!
I love snails, and eat them as often as I can.
The last time I bought Lobster, it came frozen in a block of ice. Once prepared etc, it was very good.
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