Step 1 : Introduction to the question ""Calamari" is an Italian word meaning what?"
...Fried squid has long been popular in the Mediterranean, whether it’s Italian calamari or Greek kalamarakia. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that calamari became a mainstay on American appetizer menus. American fishermen used squid for bait until it was deep-fried and rebranded as calamari to make it more appealing to diners. To keep it tasty, squid should be deep-fried for less than two minutes to prevent a tough, chewy texture.