Fish
Sepia officinalis
A tier
Sepia officinalis is the common European cuttlefish—mild sweet cephalopod with a thick mantle, tender when cooked fast or very slow, and famous ink for risotto nero and sauces. Texture is meatier than many squids if timed right. Score and grill quickly, braise in tomato, or use cleaned tubes for stuffing. Ink sacs are culinary gold. Mediterranean and Atlantic European cookery treats cuttlefish as a weekly protein, not a novelty.
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Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
BraisedFriedGrilledInk RisottoStuffed
Traits
Common CuttlefishInkInk RichMantle MeatMeatyMildSweetSweet Mild
History
IT
Mediterranean cooks used Sepia officinalis meat and ink in classical diets.
ES
Spanish and Italian coastal cuisines refined cuttlefish stews and fritto.
European markets standardised Sepia officinalis as the default cuttlefish.