OPINION

Calamari Kid strikes again

By DON FOWLER
Posted 8/26/20

By DON FOWLER We all remember when Rep. Joe McNamara sponsored a bill to make calamari the official state appetizer. While the press had fun with the bill, it passed, and America learned more about the lowly squid. The Calamari Kid has struck again,

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OPINION

Calamari Kid strikes again

Posted

We all remember when Rep. Joe McNamara sponsored a bill to make calamari the official state appetizer.

While the press had fun with the bill, it passed, and America learned more about the lowly squid.

The Calamari Kid has struck again, praising Rhode Island's coveted appetizer on prime time national television, upstaging every other state in the traditional presidential casting of the votes for president, resulting in late news and talk show coverage.

Some have called this frivolous, others silly and self serving.

I see it as a clever way of giving the lowly squid its rightful place in the culinary spotlight.

For years, Rhode Island fishermen saw the squid, an ugly looking creature, as fish bait.

Chefs saw it as a delicacy, finding ways to enhance the appetizer with flavorful ingredients such as peppers, olive oil and a variety of exotic sauces.

Seafood and Italian restaurants put the dish at the top of their appetizer menu.

The spotlight was shining on Rhode Island’s important seafood industry, and with COVID-19 taking its toll on that industry, the timing couldn’t be better.

So, thank you, Joe, for calling attention to Rhode Island and its prominent place in the fishing industry, and for making calamari a household word.

Best calamari in Cranston/Warwick

While South County restaurants promote calamari, you need go no further than Cranston/Warwick for the best calamari dishes in the world.

TWIN OAKS has always been at the top of our list for the most tender calamari, lightly seasoned and breaded with a subtle sauce and bell peppers.

LEGAL SEA FOODS, where it is always fresh, tender and tasty.

MARCHETTI’S has always been a favorite with its huge portions and Italian touch.

IGGY'S BOARDWALK was the source for McNamara' s video, and rightfully so. It is among the best.

RIGATONI’S has an appetizer that serves as a meal, including bell peppers, olives, and herbs and spices that set it above most others.

calamri, appetizer

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