The air is becoming crisp, and the leaves are transforming, signaling the arrival of fall! In addition to the common fall flavors like pumpkin spice, October is recognized as National Seafood Awareness Month. It's a time to appreciate the variety of seafood our oceans offer, both locally and internationally.
In Rhode Island, being the Ocean State, we're renowned for our seafood. The Port of Galilee in particular is acknowledged as one of the leading ports for Longfin Inshore Squid landings on the East Coast, earning it the nickname "Squid Capital of the East Coast." This fishing port ranks today as the 12th-highest-ranked port by landings value nationwide. It's an economic powerhouse for the state, providing hundreds of jobs for commercial fishermen. However, this port isn't just a hub of activity, but a symbol of the vibrant seafood culture that defines Rhode Island.
A beloved dish is Rhode Island Style Calamari, featuring succulent tender calamari, tossed in buttery garlic and hot pepper sauce. This tasty appetizer, adored by many, is officially recognized as the state's appetizer, and it's easy to make in restaurants and at home. (Click this sentence to go to a how-to video for restaurants. Click this sentence to go to a how-to video to make it at home!)
Incorporating seafood into your regular diet offers unparalleled health benefits. Seafood promotes overall well-being and supports both brain and heart health. Regular seafood consumers are 20% less likely to experience depression than others—the omega-3 fatty acids in seafood aid essential brain functions. Including seafood in your diet can even lower your risk of heart disease by 30-50%. Seafood delivers crucial nutrients that enhance heart health and provides vitamins and minerals beneficial for brain health.
However, Rhode Island's seafood offerings extend far beyond this one dish. For us, calamari is more than just fried! The true beauty of calamari lies in its ability to complement any flavors it's paired with. The possibilities for calamari recipes are endless, from Nashville Hot Calamari Steak Sandwiches to Calamari Scampi with Linguini. This cookbook is perfect if you're a home chef looking for new recipes to enhance your at-home cooking or a chef looking to update your menu for customers. Discover new and exciting recipes in our 2024 Town Dock Calamari Cookbook, which you can download by clicking this sentence.
At The Town Dock, we take pride in providing our customers with top-quality seafood. We adhere to fishery quotas, guidelines, permits, and regulations set by authorities to prevent overfishing and protect the environment. We offer two certified sustainable species by the Marine Stewardship Council: our signature Rhode Island Calamari®, Longfin Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis paeleii), and our Premium Domestic Calamari, Northern Inshore Squid (Illex illecebrosus). To meet the MSC standard, fisheries must display fish stocks, minimal environmental impact, and effective management. This is also re-evaluated on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance and the ongoing health of the fishery.
While October and the fall season often bring thoughts of pumpkin spice and apple cider, it's also an excellent opportunity to celebrate seafood. Embrace the season by exploring and incorporating new seafood recipes into your home cooking repertoire.
Click this sentence to learn more about our Rhode Island Calamari® foodservice product.
Click this sentence to learn more about our Premium Domestic Calamari foodservice product.