What To Do With All That Fresh Squid You Are Catching....

Squid fishing should be starting any day now. Fresh squid straight from the waters around Cape Cod is about as good as it gets—sweet, tender, and incredibly versatile. The key is keeping things simple and letting that just-caught flavor shine. Here are three of the best squid recipes that highlight fresh Cape Cod squid at its absolute peak.

1. Classic Fried Calamari (Crispy & Tender)

This is the go-to preparation for a reason. When done right, fried squid is light, crispy, and never rubbery.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh squid, cleaned and sliced into rings (tentacles included)

• 1 cup flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Oil for frying

• Lemon wedges

• Marinara or hot cherry pepper sauce

Instructions

1. Pat the squid completely dry—this is critical for crispiness.

2. Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

3. Heat oil to about 375°F.

4. Lightly dredge squid in the flour mixture.

5. Fry in small batches for 60–90 seconds max.

6. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with lemon.

Why it works

Fresh squid cooks incredibly fast. Overcook it and it turns tough—keep it quick, and you’ll get tender bites with a perfect crunch.

2. Garlic Butter Sautéed Squid (Simple & Flavor-Packed)

This dish is perfect when you want something quick that really showcases the natural sweetness of fresh squid.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh squid, cleaned and sliced

• 3 tbsp butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add garlic and red pepper flakes—cook for about 30 seconds.

3. Toss in squid and sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

5. Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Why it works

This method keeps things fast and hot, preventing toughness while building rich flavor with garlic and butter. It’s excellent over pasta or with crusty bread.

3. Stuffed Squid (New England Meets Mediterranean)

A more traditional preparation that feels right at home in a coastal kitchen.

Ingredients

• 6–8 whole squid tubes, cleaned

• Tentacles, chopped

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 egg

• Fresh parsley

• Salt and pepper

• Marinara sauce

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix chopped tentacles, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper.

2. Stuff the mixture into squid tubes (don’t overfill).

3. Secure with toothpicks.

4. Place in a baking dish with marinara sauce.

5. Bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes.

Why it works

The stuffing adds texture and richness while the squid stays tender as it slowly cooks in sauce. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a sit-down meal after a long night of squid fishing.

Final Tips for Cooking Fresh Cape Cod Squid

• Cook it fast or cook it slow—anything in between makes it tough.

• Dry it well before cooking to avoid steaming.

• Use it the same day if possible—fresh squid loses quality quickly.

Whether you’re frying it dockside, sautéing it in your kitchen, or baking a classic stuffed dish, fresh squid from Cape Cod is one of the most underrated catches you can put on the table.

SHOP SQUID GEAR