ITALIAN FISH Cephalopods: description and Italian namesAmong the less known (although eaten) sea creatures we find the cephalopods. The cephalopods are the mollusks class cephalopoda characterized by bilateral body symmetry , a prominent head, and a modification of the mollusc foot, into the form of arms or tentacles. The class contains two subclasses. In the "coelidea" , the mollusc shell has been internalized: so we have in the cuttlefish the bone, while in the squid and flying squid became a very small thin layer. In the octopus is absent; this subclass includes the octopus, the squid, the flying squid and the cuttlefish. The protection function, initially furnished by the shell, has been replaced by a thick coat, that has become stronger and muscular. Appendices, called tentacles or arms, appeared to the taking and for swimming. The quick locomotion was obtained working on a true reaction system: the water is sucked into the pallial cavity through the action of specific muscles; then other muscles flex , causing the violent water expulsion through a thin hole, called funnel. The water, quickly ejected to one direction gives a push to a opposite direction; it is in this manner that the cuttlefishes make their typical darting movement. cooking cephalopodsThis kind of fish, suitable for many recipes, can create some little problem if not well known; i.e. at a first sight the octopus can be similar to curled octopus. The same is between squid and flying squid. In the fact although similar, they require different cooking techniques: the octopus needs long cooking time while the curled octopus short time or it becomes rubbery! Also cuttlefish, squid and flying squid, although similar, need different cooking and cleansing methods. For this reason we prepared description tables, where we describe how to cook and how to cleanse them, and tables with our step-by-step photographed recipes. cephalopods: italian recipes with pictures
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