'Technology for making' dried sea squid Quynh

(Baonghean.vn) - Quynh Luu dried squid is known for its sweet, chewy and crispy quality. Exploitation outputsquidof the district about 4,000 tons/year,This is the basis for the district to build a dried squid brand.

Quynh Luu dried squid is famous for its fragrant, sweet and chewy meat. Photo: Viet Hung

Quynh Luu is the district with the largest seafood fishing fleet in Nghe An province. Each year, the output reaches 50,000 - 55,000 tons with a variety of seafood from shrimp, crab, fish of all kinds and especially squid. The district's annual squid output reaches nearly 4,000 tons.

After each offshore trip, when returning to port, in addition to a large amount of fresh squid imported for traders right at the port, Quynh Luu fishermen also produce dried squid right on the boat. Dried squid is mainly produced on fishing boats that use 2-sao or 4-sao trawling combined with line fishing, or on boats specializing in squid fishing from the offshore waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

According to fishermen, the darker it is, the easier it is to catch squid, because the squid will follow the light from the boat's lights to eat the bait. Therefore, on current means of transport, fishermen have invested in high-power lighting systems. Thanks to that, when fishing at sea, the light is spread over a large area, attracting squid to bite the bait. On some trips, each boat catches dozens of tons of large squid.

Dried squid is purchased by traders right at the wharf at prices ranging from 500,000 - 800,000 VND/kg, depending on size.Photo: Le Nhung

Mr. Nguyen Van Tri - a fisherman who has been fishing for squid for nearly ten years in Son Hai commune (Quynh Luu) said: "After making fresh squid, we dry it right on the boat. After washing it with salt water, we put ice in it and then wash it again to remove all the saltiness."

Quynh Luu dried squid has a distinctive sweetness compared to other places due to the initial processing method. When caught fresh, the squid are classified by fishermen, selecting large, thick-bodied, white-fleshed ones to make dried squid.

After fishing, taking advantage of the time to rest on the boat, the crew members take out the squid to process, wash it with sea water to reduce the salinity and dry it on the side of the boat. Therefore, Quynh Luu dried squid is often delicious, sweet, chewy, and has a beautiful yellow color.

During the season, large ships with a capacity of 600 CV or more can collect 50 - 100 kg of dried squid after each voyage. When arriving at the port, the dried squid is immediately imported to traders to be put in the freezer. After that, following the traders, Quynh Luu dried squid continues to expand to the markets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the Central Highlands provinces and is exported to Laos, China, etc.

When caught fresh, the squid are sorted by fishermen, choosing large ones with thick bodies and white meat to make dried squid. Photo: Viet Hung

To ensure and maintain the freshness of dried squid, the way to preserve it in a freezer is important. If not done properly, the squid will change color, become of low quality, and lose its economic value. Therefore, many Quynh Luu fishermen, in addition to investing in purchasing fishing gear and converting boats, are now investing in building freezers to promptly preserve seafood after exploitation.

Ms. Ho Thi Hoan - owner of Hoa Hoan freezing facility in Quynh Nghia commune said that each year the facility freezes nearly 1,000 tons of seafood, including 5 - 10 tons of dried squid. The squid is purchased and sold immediately. During holidays and Tet, dried squid is easy to consume and sells for a higher price.

During the season, large-capacity ships collect 50 - 100 kg of dried squid after each trip. Photo: Viet Hung

In 2016, Quynh Luu district established the Association of Dried Squid Production and Trading - this is also the premise to enhance the dried squid brand in the coming time. The annual dried squid output target of the whole district strives to reach 400 - 500 tons, of which 20% of the products are guaranteed and packaged under the Quynh Luu dried squid brand.

Currently, in Quynh Luu tourism promotion activities, dried squid is the product chosen to introduce to tourists.

Le Nhung