Octopus – Xταπόδι
If you see a fresh catch of Octopus hanging over a line like the photo above, you better stop at that taverna (restaurant) and order the χταπόδι στη σχάρα (grilled octopus). You won’t be disappointed!
The thought of eating this eight-armed creature sounds bizarre to many. If there’s one place to try octopus for the first time, it should be on a Greek island. Octopus is a favorite Greek meze (small dish or appetizer – like the Spanish tapa). The key to finding tasty octopus is to find it fresh. You’ll find it tender and delicious rather than rubbery and tasteless (which has been my experience in the United States).
There are many ways to cook Octopus. My favorite is grilled with a little olive oil, oregano and squeezed lemon. The Greeks also serve octopus stewed in red wine, in a pasta dishes, broiled and then served chilled with lemon, and fried with oil, salt, and pepper.
There’s a saying that if you can’t see the ocean or sea from the restaurant, you’re better off not ordering seafood. This may be a good rule when it comes to ordering octopus.
(photo: dwain)