What’s a cuttlefish, anyway?
Cuttlefish, or sepia, are squid-like cephalopods found in warmer waters. Cuttlefish is common in Mediterranean cuisines—particularly those of Spain and southern Italy. They weren’t always used in cuisine: Early manuscripts have been found that use cuttlefish ink for writing. It’s unclear where the tradition of using ink to color sauces and pasta dishes originated—ink is found in dishes from Valencia to Sicily and Venice—even all the way to Japan. While some perceive a warm, briny flavor from cuttlefish ink, others find the addition quite neutral.