Even though aisles are already loaded with Fall and Halloween decorations, and everyone is insisting that autumn is upon us, I am still hanging on to summer as long as possible. Even though this favorite season of mine officially ends tomorrow, temperatures across most of the nation are still in the mid 70’s or higher, I often continue to cook summer recipes and fill my dinner table with light yet delicious recipes from Italy that will ensure the visions of beaches and blue skies remain fresh in our minds!
Because Italy is a peninsula and surrounded by the sea, calamari is often a staple in many restaurants and kitchens in Italy. Grilled calamari can be served as an appetizer or a main dish and is actually much more popular in Italy than most fried versions we see here in the states. If calamari is served fried in bella Italia, it’s part of what is known as a frito misto, or a mixture of fried seafood. The grilled recipe is so simple and it’s also easy on the diet. Just head to your favorite seafood market or even frozen food section in the grocery store and grab calamari, also known as squid. A good Italian market will usually have squid in the fresh and frozen variety. Grab some good olive oil, lots of fresh lemon juice, some garlic, salt and pepper, and get grilling. And if you’ve already stored that barbecue away for the season, the broiler or a grill pan works just as well. A great recipe for this can be found here.
If you’re in metro Detroit any time soon, stop by my favorite Italian market and eatery, Cantoro’s on Haggerty Road in the suburb of Plymouth. Ask for Mario and tell him Teresa Tomeo sent you.