CALAMARI SANDWICH, EVERY BITE TASTES LIKE THE SEA
- Armando´s European Food
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
The calamari sandwich is a true symbol of Spanish cuisine, with every bite tasting like the sea. This dish is very typical of Madrid and was invented in the mid-19th century.
In the past, it was difficult for fish to arrive fresh in Madrid since transportation from coastal areas to the capital took about 11-12 days. However, there was a high demand for this food as the Church prohibited the consumption of meat on many occasions throughout the year. For this reason, there was a push to have as much fresh fish in Madrid as possible.
In the 19th century, a significant event explained the origin of the calamari sandwich in Madrid, which was the gastronomic and cultural influence from Andalusia. Many cooks from the north of Spain came to the capital and founded numerous restaurants. These cooks often worked with seafood, like squid. Squid is perfect for sandwiches because it doesn’t have bones, and adding bread made the dish more flavorful and calorie-dense.
It was in the 20th century when the calamari sandwich experienced its ultimate "boom." In the 1950s, it became a classic in the city, and selling these sandwiches in bars around the Plaza Mayor (a central square in Madrid) became common. Today, the calamari sandwich is a symbol of Madrid and has become part of the city's culture.
The preparation of this fantastic dish is simple; the only tricky part is getting fresh, good-quality squid. To make it, clean and cut the squid into rings. Coat them in flour with salt and fry them in hot oil until golden. Drain them on paper towels and place them in crispy bread. Add mayonnaise or aioli to taste, and you’ll have a sandwich where every bite tastes like the sea.
Comments