Bocadillos de calamares bravos en Zaragoza acompañados de una caña

Squid sandwich or ''bocadillo de calamares'' in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

, is a culinary specialty very common in

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

consisting of squid battered in flour and fried in oil that is usually olive, or the more sophisticated version that is all of the above plus a spicy

tomato sauce Tomato sauce (also known as ''salsa roja'' in Spanish or ''salsa di pomodoro'' in Italian) can refer to many different sauces made primarily from tomatoes, usually to be served as part of a dish, rather than as a condiment. Tomato sauces are c ...

and mayonnaise 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 as well as the Calle de Botoneras at the southeast corner of Plaza Mayor. Joaquín de Entrambasaguas, (1971), "''Gastronomía Madrileña''", Instituto de Estudios Madrileños, pág. 23 In

Zaragoza Zaragoza, also known in English as Saragossa,''Encyclopædia Britannica'"Zaragoza (conventional Saragossa)" is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributari ...

, 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 Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent, a mixture of a carbonate or bicarbonate and a weak acid. The base and acid are prevented from reacting prematurely by the inclusion of a buffer such as cornstarch. Baking powder is used to increas ...

. After this initial preparation, they are fried in hot oil until they are golden brown. Manuel Martínez Llopis, Simone Ortega, (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 Cantabria (, also , , Cantabrian: ) is an autonomous community in northern Spain with Santander as its capital city. It is called a ''comunidad histórica'', a historic community, in its current Statute of Autonomy. It is bordered on the east ...

, as well as in the Basque Country. 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