Ingredients 1 octopus Vinegar, for sun-drying Lemon, for serving Equipment Grill rack TAGS SEAFOOD OCTOPUS APPETIZERS GREEK PAROS SUMMER FOODS Ingredients 1 octopus Vinegar, for sun-drying Lemon, for serving Instructions The most beautiful island-style meze is sun-dried octopus grilled over charcoal, or “chtapodi liokafto” as it’s called on the islands, where it cooks and fills the whole area with its aroma. The octopus doesn’t need to be large, but it does need to be sun-dried. If you want to eat octopus over charcoal the way it’s served on the islands, you need to dry it using the process below: Spread the octopus over a rope and let it dry in the hot sun. Be sure to sprinkle the octopus with a little vinegar and protect it from insects by covering it with a cheesecloth while letting it dry. Depending on the size and how hot the sun is, this will take 3-5 hours. Sun-dried octopus grilled over charcoal, with its crisp texture, is a signature meze on our islands and a real treat. During the winter months, when there isn’t much sunshine, leave it to dry in the open air instead. But how do you grill the sun-dried octopus? You need medium-hot embers on the charcoal grill and a grill grate that is very clean and hot. Oiling is unnecessary – you don’t need to oil either the grill or the octopus. The only requirement is that the grill be very clean and the sun-dried octopus properly dry. Pull the tentacles apart to separate them, and place them on the grill. They need about 5 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the size and thickness of the tentacles. When the bubbles stop forming on the tentacles as they grill, the octopus is done and properly cooked. After grilling, cut the octopus into diagonal slices with a knife and squeeze a little lemon over it. No herbs needed. Enjoy it plain, or with a few drops of lemon. Never add oil to sun-dried octopus grilled over charcoal. It’s unnecessary. Enjoy it hot, while each piece still holds its juices. On the island, we always pair it with Souma from Paros. TAGS SEAFOOD OCTOPUS APPETIZERS GREEK PAROS SUMMER FOODS
