How to Preserve Fresh Squid for Long-Lasting Flavor

Squid is one of the most popular seafoods due to its sweet flavor, chewy texture, and high nutritional value. However, if not stored properly, squid can easily lose its freshness, spoil, or develop an unpleasant fishy odor. The following article will guide you on how to preserve fresh squid for a long time, simply and easily applicable at home.

1. Health benefits of fresh squid

Fresh squid is not only attractive for its delicious taste but also a rich source of nutrition, bringing many benefits to the body:

• Supports strong bones and teeth: Squid contains high levels of calcium and phosphorus, which help bones develop strongly, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and dental problems.
• Prevents arthritis: With its selenium and antioxidant content, squid helps protect joints, enhance mobility, and slow down joint degeneration.

• Good for the cardiovascular system: Vitamin B12 in squid helps control homocysteine levels, protecting heart health and preventing arterial blockages.
• Reduces the risk of anemia: The copper content in squid helps stimulate red blood cell production, improving blood circulation and preventing anemia symptoms like dizziness and limb numbness.
• Relieves migraines and protects nerves: Squid is a natural source of vitamin B2, which helps calm the nervous system and alleviate headaches caused by prolonged stress.
• Stabilizes blood pressure and improves mood: Potassium and magnesium in squid help balance blood pressure, reduce stress and fatigue, while also improving mood and reducing irritability.

2. How to preserve fresh squid

Fresh squid is a type of seafood with a relatively short shelf life if not processed and stored correctly. From the preparation stage to choosing the right preservation method, it will help maintain its sweetness, chewiness, and minimize fishiness, spoilage, and deterioration. Here are detailed instructions for you to preserve fresh squid effectively.

2.1. Preparing fresh squid

To maintain freshness, crispness, and ensure food safety during preservation, proper preparation is the crucial first step. Here are the steps for preparing fresh squid that you should follow:

• Rinse thoroughly: Immediately after buying, rinse the squid under cold water to remove dirt and slime from the skin.
• Separate the head and body: Use your hands or a small knife to carefully pull the head away from the body. Be gentle to avoid breaking the ink sac.
• Clean the body: Gently pull out the quill (internal cartilage) from the body, then rinse thoroughly again to remove any remaining sand or blood.
• Prepare the head: Cut off the ink sac, internal organs, eyes, and beak. This makes the dish visually appealing and prevents a fishy smell during storage.
• Final rinse: After preparation, rinse the squid again with clean water. You can leave them whole or cut them into pieces depending on your cooking needs.

2.2. How to preserve fresh squid in the refrigerator

To keep squid fresh for a long time and ensure quality when storing it in the refrigerator, you should follow these steps:

• After buying and cleaning the squid, let it drain thoroughly to avoid freezing or the fishy water seeping back into the squid meat.
• Place the squid in a food container or zip-lock bag, ensuring it is tightly sealed to limit air entry. This prevents the squid from drying out and avoids odor transfer with other foods.

• If you want to store squid for longer while maintaining its crispness and sweetness, vacuum seal it before placing it in the freezer.
• The ideal temperature for preserving fresh squid in the refrigerator should be between 5°C and -4°C.

2.3. Preserving fresh squid without a refrigerator

If you don’t have a refrigerator or it’s already full, you can still preserve fresh squid using ice. Here are detailed instructions:

• Prepare the squid as usual, then let it drain and place it in a zip-lock bag or a sealed container. If you have a vacuum sealer, it’s recommended to remove all air to extend the storage time.
• Line the bottom of a cooler with a layer of ice, place the packaged squid on top, and then cover it with another layer of ice.
• Every few hours, check and drain any melted ice, then add fresh ice. This helps maintain a stable cold environment, preventing the squid from becoming soft or contaminated.
• With this method, the squid can maintain its freshness for 2-3 days, depending on the quality of the ice and surrounding environmental conditions.

2.4. Preserving fresh squid for long-distance transport

When transporting fresh squid over long distances, maintaining its freshness and quality is crucial. One common method is to place the prepared squid in a plastic bag or zip-lock bag, then put it in a cooler box with ice. This method helps maintain a low temperature, limit bacterial growth, and keep the squid fresh for about 2-3 days.

Additionally, transportation companies utilize refrigerated trucks at temperatures ranging from -20°C to -18°C. This method helps squid retain its crispness and natural flavor for a longer time, especially suitable for ensuring quality during large-scale distribution.

3. How to choose fresh, delicious squid

To ensure squid can be preserved for a long time and retain its delicious taste after cooking, you should prioritize choosing high-quality fresh squid from the start. Here are some criteria to help you identify fresh, delicious squid:

• Observe the external color: Fresh squid typically has a naturally shiny skin, opaque white flesh that isn’t dull, and distinct dark brown spots on its body.
• Examine the eyes: Choose squid with clear, bright eyes and visible pupils. Avoid squid with cloudy eyes, abnormal bulging, or discharge.
• Check for elasticity: Gently press the squid’s body with your finger. Fresh squid will be firm and elastic, not mushy, and will return to its original shape after being pressed.
• Avoid squid with signs of spoilage: Do not choose squid with torn skin, missing heads or tentacles, or an unusually strong, foul odor, as these are signs of spoilage.

Understanding how to preserve fresh squid and some useful tips correctly will help retain the natural sweetness and chewiness of squid, as well as ensure food safety. We hope the information shared in this article will be helpful to you. Don’t forget to purchase squid from reputable sources to ensure quality!

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