Rhode Island won the roll call.
State Democratic Party Chairman Joseph McNamara highlighted the state’s official appetizer during the roll call of the largely-virtual Democratic National Convention Tuesday. McNamara stood alongside John Bordieri, the executive chef of the Rhode Island seafood mainstay Iggy’s Boardwalk on Oakland Beach in Warwick, according to the Providence Journal.
“Rhode Island, the Ocean State, where our restaurant and fishing industry have been decimated by this pandemic, are lucky to have a Governor, Gina Raimondo, whose program lets our fishermen sell their catches directly to the public, and our state appetizer, calamari, is available in all 50 states,” McNamara said.
“The calamari comeback state of Rhode Island casts one vote for Bernie Sanders and 34 votes for the next president, Joe Biden,” he added.
McNamara represented the Rhode Island delegation to the Democratic National Convention. The Democratic Party formally nominated Biden on Tuesday, the convention’s second night. Rather than a traditional in-person roll call, party leaders cast their votes via short video clips.
All 50 states, Washington, D.C., and several territories participated, with party figures like D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser and former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg joining small business owners and activists to say a few words about their states before casting their votes.
But Rhode Island’s focus on calamari lit up social media on Tuesday, and #calamari and “Rhode Island” quickly trended on Twitter. Let’s just say there was a lot of delighted confusion over the “calamari comeback” video.
Rhode Island casting its votes as the Calamari Comeback State alongside a plate of calamari is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen and I’m from Rhode Island. But yay Roll Call! pic.twitter.com/sMDKJuEhoE
— sarah maclean (@sarahmaclean) August 19, 2020
So far Rhode Island’s use of its DNC state roll call primarily as an opportunity to hawk calamari is the most on-brand of all the states and territories. pic.twitter.com/340qfy5I3D
— Steven Stashwick (@StevenStashwick) August 19, 2020
Sure! Here are some recipes. Fried Rhode Island calamari is usually served with banana peppers and can be quite spicy.
The Town Dock, a seafood wholesaler in Narragansett, has three calamari recipes on its website: Fried Calamari, Garlic Sautéed Calamari, and Chargrilled Whole Squid with Chili & Mint. Check them out.
Jasper White of The Summer Shack says Rhode Island-style calamari is spicy and greasy, served with hot cherry peppers. “Look for medium-size fresh or frozen squid (about eight to a pound) for frying.” Here’s his recipe.
Guy Fieri uses pepperoncini and cayenne for the spice, and serves it in a toasted bread bowl. Sounds weird.
Christina Prignano can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @cprignano.
