What is Scraped Dried Squid? Distinguish Between Hooked and Scraped Dried Squid

On the market today, there are two popular types of dried squid: hand-line squid and trawl squid. While hand-line dried squid is considered a premium product, trawl dried squid takes the lead with its affordable price and distinctively rich flavor. Thanks to being processed from fresh squid and dried under natural sunlight, every piece of trawl squid retains its characteristic sweetness. In this article, let’s join Ola Squid to learn more about trawl dried squid, how to distinguish it from hand-line squid, and how to choose delicious, high-quality squid!

1. What is Trawl Dried Squid?

Trawl dried squid is a type of dried squid processed from squid living in deep waters, which can be near the shore or far offshore. These squid have a habit of gathering in one place and moving very little, so fishermen often use trawl nets to catch them, which is why it is called trawl squid.

Due to being caught with trawl nets for a long period (about 5-6 hours per trip), most of the squid are already dead when brought to the surface. This catching process makes the squid’s skin prone to scratches, the body thinner, and when dried, it is often not as aesthetically pleasing as hand-line squid. However, in return, trawl dried squid still retains its characteristic sweetness, rich aroma, and natural chewiness, making it very popular thanks to its affordable price and familiar flavor of the sea.

2. Is Trawl Squid Delicious? Nutritional Value of Trawl Squid

When hearing about trawl squid, many people often assume that this type of squid is not as delicious as hand-line squid because of its less attractive appearance. However, in reality, trawl squid still carries the characteristic flavor of the sea and an unmistakable deliciousness.

Because it is naturally caught with nets, trawl squid is usually smaller in size, with a thinner body and lighter color compared to hand-line squid. When grilled, trawl squid releases a gentle aroma, a light sweetness, and a moderate chewiness, which is very suitable for drinking snacks, light snacks, or processed into salads, shredded mixes, tamarind-simmered dishes, etc.

In addition, although not as expensive as hand-line squid, trawl squid is still very tasty and rich in nutrition. In 100g of trawl dried squid, there contains:

• Protein accounts for up to 60-70%, helping to provide energy and support muscle recovery.
• Minerals such as calcium, zinc, copper, and iron help strengthen resistance and support metabolism.
• Vitamins B12 and B3 are beneficial for the nervous system, cardiovascular health, and the skin.
• Low fat, making dried squid an excellent choice for those on a diet or wanting to control their weight.

3. Distinguishing Hand-line Dried Squid and Trawl Dried Squid

On the market, many places sell trawl squid disguised as hand-line squid to raise the price. Therefore, distinguishing between these two types of squid is very important.

Regarding Catching Methods

Hand-line squid is caught using traditional angling methods, usually taking place at night. Under the bright lights on the boat, the squid are attracted and swim to the surface, then bite the hook. Each squid caught while still fresh will be sliced open, cleaned of internal organs, and dried directly on the boat.

Unlike hand-line squid, trawl squid lives concentrated in deep waters and moves very little. To catch them, fishermen release trawl nets into the sea for many hours to harvest large quantities. Because the squid are pulled in the net along with other types of seafood, the squid’s body is easily scratched or slightly bruised, and when pulled to the surface, most of them are already dead.

Regarding External Appearance

Hand-line squid usually has a straight, thick, and elongated body, with the head firmly attached to the body. Thanks to being hung on racks immediately after being caught while the squid is still fresh, the skin surface retains a natural gloss, a light pink color, and small, clear black spots remain on the body. When touched, the squid meat is thick and dry but still soft and slightly elastic, with no white powder layer appearing on the surface yet.

Trawl squid is dried flat on wooden slats in large quantities. Therefore, the body of trawl squid is often wider, thinner, and slightly curved. Due to the net-catching process, net marks or small scratches are sometimes left on the squid’s body. The color of the squid is often unevenly pale and the skin is less shiny, but the tentacles are still attached to the body, helping to maintain the natural shape.

Read more: Distinguishing bigfin reef squid from squid and delicious dishes from reef squid

Regarding Meat Quality and Flavor

Hand-line dried squid is processed and dried immediately after being caught, so the meat still retains its freshness, thickness, and firmness, with a straight and beautiful body. When grilled, hand-line dried squid releases a characteristic aroma; the meat is sweet, rich, and moderately chewy, creating a more delicious sensation.

In contrast, trawl dried squid often has a thinner body, an irregular shape, and is sometimes slightly curved due to being dried on slats in large quantities at the same time. The squid meat is sweet but usually not as rich or firm as hand-line squid. However, if the trawl squid is processed from a fresh batch, the meat is still sweet and fragrant, only differing in the thickness of the body.

Regarding Price

Because it is caught and dried while still fresh, hand-line squid retains its freshness, thick and straight body, and a deep sweet, moderately chewy flavor. This is why hand-line dried squid usually has a higher price. The price of hand-line squid can fluctuate depending on origin, season, and size, but in general, it remains a premium type of squid, suitable for gifts or use in special parties.

Meanwhile, trawl squid has a thinner body, irregular shape, and the meat is also less deeply sweet than hand-line squid. Due to the more efficient catching method in terms of quantity, the price of trawl dried squid is usually lower than hand-line squid, making it suitable for daily use or buying in bulk.

Reference: Cheap dried squid with attractive offers from Ola Squid

3. How to Process Dishes from Trawl Squid

Thanks to its naturally sweet meat, moderate chewiness, and characteristic flavor, you can process it into many different delicious dishes to suit your family’s taste. Here are some suggestions for processing delicious dishes from trawl squid:

• Grilled trawl squid: This is a simple way that retains the natural flavor of the squid. Before grilling, you can soak the squid in water for about 5-10 minutes to make it softer. Then grill over charcoal or a grill; when the squid is evenly golden and releases a fragrant aroma, dipping it in garlic chili fish sauce or mayonnaise is perfect.

• Shredded trawl squid salad: After being soaked until soft, the squid can be shredded and mixed with herbs, carrots, cucumbers, and spices such as garlic, chili, lemon, sugar, and fish sauce. The trawl squid salad has a natural sweetness, a slight crunch, and is sour, sweet, and spicy, making it very suitable as an appetizer or served with rice.

• Tamarind-simmered or salty-sweet simmered trawl squid: Simmered squid is a great choice for a family meal. After soaking until soft, the squid is lightly fried or quickly sautéed, then simmered with fish sauce, sugar, garlic, tamarind, or salty-sweet spices. The finished squid meat is sweet, moderately soft, infused with spices, and is extremely appetizing when served with white rice.

4. How to Preserve Trawl Dried Squid to Keep the Full Flavor

To keep trawl dried squid as delicious as new, you should note some preservation methods below:

• Store in a cool, dry place: After buying, keep the squid in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and high humidity. If kept in a kitchen cabinet, use a container or paper bag so the squid does not come into direct contact with the air, avoiding mold or softening.
• Use vacuum bags or airtight containers: For those who want long-term storage, the squid should be placed in vacuum bags or airtight plastic containers.

• Store in the refrigerator or freezer: Squid kept in the refrigerator compartment can be used for several weeks, while if kept in the freezer, it can be preserved for several months while still maintaining its fresh flavor. When using, just thaw it slowly and avoid soaking in water for too long so the squid doesn’t lose its taste.
• Avoid letting the squid come into contact with water: If trawl dried squid comes into contact with water, it will become soft, mushy, and easily moldy, losing its natural sweetness. When you need to cook or grill it, you should only soak it briefly in clean water for 5-10 minutes so the squid is soft enough.

>>> Answering: How many suns should dried squid be dried in to retain the full sweet taste without being chewy?

5. Where to Buy Reputable and Quality-Guaranteed Trawl Squid?

Notes When Buying Trawl Squid

Here are some tips to buy squid that is delicious, chewy, naturally sweet, and quality-guaranteed:

• When buying, you should choose squid with an intact body, light pink color, and no signs of mold, dampness, or strange odors. High-quality trawl squid usually has a slightly curved body, tentacles still attached to the body, natural color, and is not overly white or unusually dark yellow.
• When smelling, the squid must have a characteristic mild aroma, not fishy or moldy.
• The surface should be dry, not sticky to the hands, and have no strange powder layer. Use your hand to press lightly on the squid’s body; quality squid will have moderate elasticity, not too soft or too hard.
• Delicious trawl squid is usually taken from fresh squid, caught with nets, and dried on slats. Therefore, you should buy from reputable stores or brands with clear origins and catching methods to avoid chemically treated, poor-quality squid or improper preservation.
• Check the production date, expiration date, and the store’s preservation method. Good trawl squid will be properly packaged or dried, free from mold, and easy to preserve long-term.

Reputable and Quality Locations to Buy Trawl Squid

When you want to choose to buy delicious and quality-guaranteed trawl dried squid, finding a reputable address is an important step. Here are some suggestions for locations to buy trawl dried squid that you can refer to:

• Specialty seafood and coastal delicacy stores: Stores specializing in dried seafood (squid, fish, shrimp, etc.) often have clear sources, are carefully selected, and processed according to traditional methods.
• Buy online from reputable brands: If you are far away or want the convenience of ordering, buying online from reputable brands or distribution systems is a reasonable choice. For example, olasquid.com is one of the leading website addresses specializing in providing products from squid, with a commitment to not using preservatives and having clear input sources.

• Wholesale markets or dried seafood sections at coastal areas: If you have the opportunity to buy at coastal areas or wholesale markets specializing in seafood, you will have more choices of trawl squid at good prices. However, in these places, it is necessary to check the squid carefully and whether the on-site preservation is good or not.

We hope that with the above detailed information, you have understood more about trawl dried squid, how to distinguish it from hand-line dried squid, as well as the secrets of proper processing and preservation. If you want to discover more types of premium dried squid, visit Ola Squid’s Store now to see our authentic delicious dried squid products!

Ola Squid introduces a range of high-quality whole dried squid, properly sun-dried and safely preserved for every delicious meal.