Fried calamari, also known as calamari fritti, is a dish you can find in many corners of the world, but nobody does it quite like Mom. The tender rings of squid, lightly seasoned and coated in a crisp golden batter, are a testament to her culinary prowess and love of feeding her family well.

My Mom’s best fried calamari starts with selecting the perfect squid. Fresh is key – they should smell of the sea but not overly fishy. She meticulously cleans them, removing the quill and outer skin before slicing them into uniform rings that are not too thin nor too thick. Every piece is an invitation to a crunchy yet tender experience.

The magic happens in her secret batter mix. While she never reveals her complete mix, I’ve detected notes of garlic powder, a hint of paprika, and fresh parsley chopped so fine it’s almost a part of the flour itself. The calamari rings take a quick bath in this seasoned flour before meeting their hot oil fate.

And the oil – it’s never random. Mom prefers olive oil for its high smoke point and subtle flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the sweetness of the squid. The kitchen fills with that sizzling serenade as she works methodically, ensuring each ring is cooked to perfection – not a second too long – until they’re just golden brown.

What truly sets her fried calamari apart is perhaps not something that can be easily captured in words or ingredients. It’s the years of experience evident in how she moves around her kitchen, how she flicks her wrist just so when tossing the calamari for even coating, or how she knows by sight alone when they’re done to perfection.

She serves them hot with slices of lemon – their citrus spritz elevating each bite – and often a side of marinara sauce for dipping, tart and rich with tomatoes. There’s always enough to go around twice because Mom knows this dish disappears fast at family gatherings.

Eating my Mom’s best fried calamari isn’t merely about savoring delightful seafood; it’s a multi-sensory experience embedded in tradition and memory. Each bite carries echoes of laughter around our family table, reminding us that sometimes, it’s more than just food – it’s love made edible.