Cleaning squid

Versatile, delicious and perfectly suited to summer, fresh whole squid is easier to prepare than you might think.

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However daunting it may seem, buying a whole squid and cleaning it yourself is easy and economical. Look for one that’s extremely fresh or frozen solid – it should be shiny, slightly translucent and firm. There are many squid-fishing spots in Australia, so a fresh catch should be easy to find. If frozen, let it thaw completely in the fridge, then clean and use immediately. These cephalopods have a mild-tasting flesh that soaks up the flavours with which they’re cooked and, with little by-catch, they’re sustainable too.

How to make salt and pepper squid

1 Cut 4 small squid hoods down one side, open out and pat dry. Score the insides lightly with a small sharp knife in a criss-cross pattern, without cutting all the way through, then cut into 2.5cm x 5cm pieces. 2