Bocadillos de calamares bravos en Zaragoza acompañados de una caña

Squid sandwich or ''bocadillo de calamares'' in Spanish, is a culinary specialty very common in Spain consisting of

squid True squid are molluscs with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight arms, and two tentacles in the superorder Decapodiformes, though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also called squid despite not strictly fitting t ...

battered in

flour Flour is a powder made by grinding raw grains, roots, beans, nuts, or seeds. Flours are used to make many different foods. Cereal flour, particularly wheat flour, is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many culture ...

and fried in oil that is usually

olive The olive, botanical name ''Olea europaea'', meaning 'European olive' in Latin, is a species of small tree or shrub in the family Oleaceae, found traditionally in the Mediterranean Basin. When in shrub form, it is known as ''Olea europaea'' ...

, or the more sophisticated version that is all of the above plus a spicy tomato sauce and

mayonnaise Mayonnaise (; ), colloquially referred to as "mayo" , is a thick, cold, and creamy sauce or dressing commonly used on sandwiches, hamburgers, composed salads, and French fries. It also forms the base for various other sauces, such as tartar ...

with garlic similar to that of patatas bravas.Néstor Luján, (1994), ''"Como piñones mondados, Cuento de Cuentos de Gastronomía"'',Ed. Folio, Barcelona, pp:123 It is usually served hot and freshly made. This type of sandwich (specifically the original version without sauce) is very popular in Madrid and can be found in most of the bars of the Spanish capital, particularly in the

Plaza Mayor A town square (or square, plaza, public square, city square, urban square, or ''piazza'') is an open public space, commonly found in the heart of a traditional town but not necessarily a true geometric square, used for community gatherings. ...

as well as the Calle de Botoneras at the southeast corner of Plaza Mayor.

Joaquín de Entrambasaguas Joaquín or Joaquin is a male given name, the Spanish version of Joachim. Given name * Joaquín (footballer, born 1956), Spanish football midfielder * Joaquín (footballer, born 1981), Spanish football winger * Joaquín (footballer, born 1982), ...

, (1971), "''Gastronomía Madrileña''", Instituto de Estudios Madrileños, pág. 23 In Zaragoza, the sophisticated version of the calamari sandwich is traditional, with the spicy sauce (tomato, mayonnaise and garlic), and it is called bocadillo de calamares bravos or spicy squid sandwich, which is served in the bars on Calle Cinco de Marzo.

Preparation

The squid are usually cut into rings that are one-centimeter thick, coated with flour and baking powder. After this initial preparation, they are fried in hot oil until they are golden brown.

Manuel Martínez Llopis Manuel may refer to: People * Manuel (name) * Manuel (Fawlty Towers), a fictional character from the sitcom ''Fawlty Towers'' * Charlie Manuel, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies * Manuel I Komnenos, emperor of the Byzantine Empire * Manu ...

Simone Ortega Simone Ortega Klein (29 May 1919 – 2 July 2008) was a bestselling Spanish culinary author. Born in Barcelona to a family originally from Alsace in France, she published her first and bestselling book '' 1080 recetas de cocina'' (republished i ...

, (1987), ''«La cocina típica de Madrid»'', Alianza Editorial. pág. 311 In Zaragoza, spicy tomato-based sauce, mayonnaise and garlic will be added. The bread is usually sliced on one side. Traditionally, it was served with bread full of fried breadcrumbs. Recently, baguettes from the establishment are usually made from previously frozen dough, which is usually cut on one side, giving each place a characteristic touch.

Presentation

Sometimes a bit of squeezed lemon is added to the fried squid dish for flavor, and mayonnaise is also common. It is usually accompanied with a very cold beer. The squids are usually served in a bread that is opened only on one side and is filled with fried breadcrumbs.

Variations

The ''bocadillo de rabas'' or "fried squid ring sandwich" is very popular in northern Spain, where fresh squid can be found on the coast. The method of preparation is similar to that of the Madrid version and it can be found in various bars and restaurants in Cantabria, as well as in the

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. In Madrid, there are even "Rutas del Bocadillo de Calamares" (Routes of Squid Sandwiches) that allow you to discover variants of the sandwich.

References

{{reflist Seafood sandwiches Spanish cuisine Squid dishes

Preparation

Presentation

Variations

See also

References