Cephalopods

Cephalopods, whose name is derived from the Greek for “head” and “foot,” are known to many only in the form of breaded, deep-fried squid rings. The breading dominates and the flesh is often tough, having lost its original delicate mouthfeel. Or they may associate octopus with some rubbery little pieces in a marinara sauce.

Octopuses have a reputation of being difficult to prepare. This is due to their peculiar musculature in which the muscle fibers are cross-linked in all directions. In Mediterranean countries, fishers often hit the octopuses against a rock to loosen the muscles fibers and to make the flesh more tender.