A squid is a mollusk with an elongated body.
From Latin calămus to Old Italian calamo , and this to Italian calamaro . That was the etymological journey until the appearance in our language of the term squid , which refers to an aquatic animal .
A squid is a mollusk : its body has bilateral symmetry, is not segmented in the case of adult specimens and has integuments that are not hard. It is also a cephalopod since it has a sac-like integumentary fold, which has a hole through which the head protrudes (which can be easily differentiated from the other parts of the body and is surrounded by extensive tentacles with suction cups).
Squid characteristics
The body of squid is elongated and houses a shell inside that resembles a feather. These beings have a dozen tentacles, of which two are longer than the others.
Thanks to the hyponome , the squid can move more easily. Through this tubular structure it expels pressurized water .
Another peculiarity of these animals is that they have the ability to camouflage themselves . This is due to the chromatophores in their skin , which are specialized cells that allow them to modify their color when faced with a threat.
The ink
Beyond camouflage , the best-known defensive resource of squids is the expulsion of black ink . This pigment constitutes a mechanism of their flight behavior to evade predators.
The ink is produced in glands located between the gills. When faced with a threat, the squid expels it through openings on the sides of its body.
Fried squid or rabas are a highly appreciated dish in various regions.
Squid species
It is important to mention that there is not only one type of squid. A member of the order Teutids is called squid, which includes two suborders, several families and numerous species.
Giant squid , for example, can measure more than a dozen meters and reach a weight of more than two hundred kilograms. The southern giant squid ( Architeuthis sanctipauli ) and the Atlantic giant squid ( Architeuthis dux ) are two species in this group.
The firefly squid , scientific name Watasenia scintillans , lives in the Pacific Ocean and is notable for its photophores (organs that allow it to produce light ). The Hawaiian squid ( Euprymna scolopes ), meanwhile, is found in the Hawaiian archipelago .
Its use in gastronomy
Almost all of the squid's body and even its ink are used in gastronomy . It is usually cut into rings or sticks, although it can also be filled.
Fried calamari , also called rabas , are among the most popular dishes in various regions. The most common way to prepare them is by cutting the body into rings, which must be coated in flour . They are then fried and usually served seasoned with lemon and salt.
Squid in its ink , on the other hand, are prepared by cooking the pieces of the animal's body in the fluid they secrete. This ink is also used in rice and noodles.
Series “The Squid Game”
In September 2021, a Korean series premiered whose title was translated into Spanish as “The Squid Game.” This production became one of the most viewed on the Netflix platform .
“The Squid Game” focuses on the experiences of a group of people who, overwhelmed by economic problems, compete with each other in various children's games. While the winner takes a millionaire sum, the rest lose their lives .