Grilled squid with lemon, garlic and olive oil — a Mediterranean recipe

Grilled squid are among the most loved dishes of Mediterranean cuisine: tender seafood, a smoky aroma and lemon freshness in every bite. Their secret lies in two things — a short marinade and very fast grilling over a strong heat, because squid becomes tough if left long on the grill.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1 kg fresh squid, well cleaned
• 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
• The juice of 1 large lemon
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or fresh parsley)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lemon slices and fresh parsley for serving

Preparation steps

1. Cleaning. Rinse the squid under cold water, remove the inner cartilage and the outer skin if you wish; dry them well with kitchen paper.
2. Marinating. In a wide bowl, mix the olive oil, the lemon juice, the garlic, the oregano, the salt and the pepper. Add the squid, mix well and leave them to marinate for 20–30 minutes at room temperature (no longer, so that the lemon does not “cook” them).
3. Heating the grill. Heat the grill (or a grill pan) over a strong heat and brush the grates with a little oil so that the squid do not stick.
4. Grilling. Place the squid on the grill and cook them for 2–3 minutes on each side, until they take on golden grill marks and the flesh becomes white and tender. Do not cook them for more than 6–8 minutes in total.
5. Serving. Remove them from the heat, drizzle with a little fresh olive oil, lemon juice and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with lemon slices and toasted bread.

Preparation time: 15 minutes (+ 20–30 minutes marinating) · Cooking: 6–8 minutes · Servings: 4

Tip: If the squid are very large, make a few light diagonal cuts in the body so that they cook evenly and take on the marinade’s aroma better.