From what do dried squid, or What are the popular products

Buying ready-to-eat seafood in the store, one wonders the question of how and from what do dried squid or other exotic seafood?

What do you really have to eat?

Priorities in people's lives change constantly. This statement can be fully attributed to food. In recent years beer has become the most popular drink among the population, and dried squid is the best snack for it. Especially on days of big holidays, you can see everywhere a group of people holding a beer bottle in one hand, and in the other - a small bag with fragrant shavings or slicing. Indeed, the packaged product attracts many people, both in taste and in smell. But it is worthwhile to think about what is really in these bright, attractive packages. Judging by the names in the list of ingredients, there really is a squid. But is it the clam that you can buy in any store? In fact, everything is somewhat different. Studying what makes dried squid, experts came to the conclusion that this is a completely different specimen. In fact, there are giant animals in the sea, which are also squid. But their meat has such a disgusting taste that it is almost impossible to use it in its natural form.

Product Processing

Engineers-technologists of the food industry of the countries of the East have developed a special technology that makes it possible nevertheless to use hard and unattractive meat of certain squid species. But still, knowing what the dried squid is made of, somehow it's not very easy to buy them. In principle, according to technology, meat passes through several stages of processing:

• Carcase cutting;
• cooking;
• Mixing with additional components;
• drying;
• Frying;
• Grinding;
• Repeated addition of additional ingredients;
• Additional drying;
• Final processing;
• Packaging.

As a result, a finished product appears on the shelves of stores. Bright bags spread out quickly enough. It seems to be all right, but in the depths of the soul some deception is felt. Although scientists argue that the product is natural and absolutely harmless, but knowing now exactly what the dried squid is made from, it's somehow not very desirable to buy them.

What does the dried squid consist of?

Fresh squid meat contains a large number of vitamins B, E, PP and C, as well as trace elements and useful amino acids. This stimulates brain activity and markedly improves memory. It has a lot of iron and potassium, which normalizes the work of the heart, selenium, which removes salts of heavy metals from the human body, and iodine, which supports the endocrine system. In addition, it can stimulate the production of gastric juice, which significantly improves the digestive process. Such meat is rich in protein, but, despite this, it is easily assimilated by the human body. Because of low caloric content, the squid is referred to as dietary products. However, as a result of processing, only a portion of this wealth is retained in the product. And if you consider dried squid, their composition will not be so enviable. But this does not mean that they do not need to be eaten. In everything there should be a sense of proportion and common sense. Take, for example, the usual packaged dried squid. Their composition looks approximately as follows: meat - 89%, salt - 1%, sugar - 7,2%, sodium glutamate - 1%, D-sorbitol - 1,8%. Even by the percentage of components, it can be concluded that such a product is better to eat in limited quantities. After all, high salt content can lead to unnecessary sediment and puffiness, and chemicals can cause the strongest allergic reaction. So it's better not to take chances.

Face to face

Buying a dried squid in the store, it's hard to imagine the animal from which all this was done. Many have become accustomed to seeing these mollusks exclusively in the form of a frozen carcass or a finished product. What does a real squid look like? A photo can only give an external view. Yes, this is a spectacular creature, and its giant individuals with their size simply amaze the imagination. Just want to think that the finished product will be as elastic, tender and quite appetizing. Honestly, some of the desired qualities are justified to some extent. Indeed, squid in a smoked or fried form looks very impressive. And what does a dried squid look like? A photo of such food makes you think. When you see before yourself a chaotic bundle of lifeless fibers, there are doubts about taste and pleasure. But this unjustified excitement. In fact, dried squid has a rather pleasant, slightly sweet taste, and when chewing it even becomes a little softer. Perhaps, therefore, this seafood in recent years has become a favorite treat for children and the best snack for beer for adults.

Drying squid in natural conditions

It is not necessary to use large production halls and large enterprises for drying shellfish. In Thailand, for example, the local population of small villages is engaged in this. They have even developed their own technology, which produces dried squid. The recipe of the process is quite simple. For the beginning of the caught animals are washed and released from the entrails, thus turning them into semi-finished products. Then the carcasses are laid out on specially prepared grates and left to dry under the scorching rays of the sun. The process lasts 1-2 weeks. As a result, juicy squid meat turns into a rough sole with a slight salt coating on the surface. In this form they are sold on the streets of cities. To give the product a more presentable appearance, the seller either passes meat through the press, making it look like a snack, or makes additional processing, as a result of which the product becomes softer and easier to chew. And those who want to eat this dish are always there.

Dried squids with their own hands

But not everyone has the opportunity to go to Thailand and try a local delicacy. It turns out that such a dish can be prepared by yourself. Squid dried at home is quite tasty. For starters, you will need to stock up on the following products:

1 kg of squid fillets will require a liter of water, 60 grams of salt, 3-4 peas of sweet pepper and a couple of laurel leaves.

The technology of production is as follows:

1. Carcase a shellfish wash. After that, it must first be doused with boiling water, and then lowered into cold water. This method will help to remove the skin from it more easily.
2. From the products according to the recipe, prepare the brine, put the prepared fillet of squid into it and leave it there for the night. The process can be accelerated by making the solution more concentrated (8 tablespoons of salt per liter of water).
3. The next morning get meat from the brine, dry it and cut into thin rings, straws or tear in the form of shavings.
4. Place the billets on a baking sheet lined with parchment, and send to the oven at 50 degrees for 3 hours.

Now the dried billets can be poured into a bowl and served with beer in a company of friends.