How to Clean Squid.

1. Grasp your squid firmly with both hands, one on the mantle and the other just above the eyes.
2. Pull the head and tentacles apart from the mantle; most, if not all, of the organs should follow.
3. Cut the tentacles from the head, just below the eyes. Discard the head.
4. Pop out and discard the beak if it stayed with the tentacles.
5. Grasp the end of the pen (the long, thin bony structure inside the mantle in the front), pull it out, and discard it.
6. Slit the mantle fully down the pen seam, unless you intend to cut your squid into rings.
7. Scrape any remaining organs from the inside of the mantle and discard them. (If you skipped the previous step, momentarily turn the mantle inside-out to do this.)
8. The skin adds slight flavor and coloration. The wings are edible, though slightly tough. If you so desire, you may skin the mantle by lightly slitting the skin, peeling it off (the wings will follow), and discarding it.
9. Rinse the mantle and tentacles in cold water. Pat dry.
10. Party.

Recipes.

All content © Ebenezer McSurly 2005.