Friday, September 4, 2009

Octopus weekend




Summer is over and I realized that I haven't shared our adventures in octopus spearing...and eating. I know that many of my readers love that our kids are learning the skills of fishing and spearing octopus and what they love more is to see photos of our kids with the octopuses. Honestly, octopus is our their favorite choice whenever we go to a taverna, so it's always great when Kosta can spear a few for us to enjoy at home. One weekend in early August , Kosta speared four of them...two on Saturday in beautiful Halkidiki and the second two on Sunday at a beach just outside of Thessaloniki. Here are some photos from our weekend...

Saturday

Yia Yia and Foti were swimming in the area that Kosta was hunting octopus so, naturally, when he speared one he handed off to Yia Yia so that we could start to prepare it for our dinner.

Before we slam the octopus on the rock to tenderize it, the kids usually get time to examine it closely. They're always captivated.

Izabella loves when the octopus still has suction and sticks to her.


Here's Foti working on tenderizing the octopus. Izabella & I did the hard work as we took turns slamming the octopus against a rock.


Enjoying the fruits of our labor. Can you see the octopus next to the wine? It's the same one that we caught a few hours earlier.


Octopus was a perfect addition to the fish that we grilled.


Sunday

This octopus that was speared on Sunday was a bit smaller.



Although Alexandra loves to eat octopus, she had never handled one until this day. She was completely enamoured by it and examined it closely for a while.


This weekend our forecast looks promising and hopefully, we'll have time to go to the beach. And, I really hope that Kosta will have great luck and spear a few more octopuses!!
Have a great weekend!!



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13 comments:

  1. Looks like an amazing feast! I'm drooling as I look at the photo's. Have a great weekend my friend. I sent you an email..hopefully you got it :)

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  2. Ohtapodi!!! Yum!!! Especially with garlc,lemon juice and olive oil.

    What a great way for kids to explore, learn and have fun!
    All that in one of the nicest,safest and most civilized place on earth.
    Great pictures as well!

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  3. Cari,
    Yes, feasts are always amazing here! Well, anywhere that I am usually...but here everything is always fresh, that's the difference. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend as well, it's so good to hear from you!
    xxxooo~~~~

    Ellinaras,
    We love Octapodi served with lemon as well. Our kids do live very full and enriching lives, they're definitely in touch with their environment.
    I'm glad that enjoy the pictures & enjoy visiting. Thank you.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  4. What a great day at the beach! I confess, I love to eat octopus, but I don't really like to slam it on the rocks!

    Wonderful pictures...

    Thanks for visiting my blog, and you have a great weekend too!

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  5. Truestarr,
    Thank you for your compliments:)

    When I first married my husband and was introduced to the slamming of octopus...and then eating it... I thought that he was so uncivilized! Almost 20 yrs later- I guess I've been conditioned. :)

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  6. OOOH! I love octopus although don't cook it often. I love it both with vinegar and grilled! Yummy!

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  7. You have some brave kids, I think I would have run screaming from an octopus when I was little. Actually, I'd run screaming from one today. :)

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  8. Life in the beach is wonderful. Your rich table is gorgeous. Hope to taste once your meze!!

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  9. Liz,
    I love it grilled w/ vinegar...that's my favorite. When it's available, it's a "must have".
    Have a nice week :)


    Mel,
    You're funny! :) I won't bring an octopus over then, I don't want send you away screaming!
    But, I agree, my kids are brave, they are open to anything. I'm extremely proud of them.
    It's nice to have you back! Have a nice week:)

    Phivos,
    Life at the beach is wonderful and more than I'd hoped for. Our table is always rich and always open to great friends!
    Have a wonderful week:)

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  10. Hi Cheryl,
    Great pictures.
    I agree, your kids are so brave. The feast afterwards looks incredible. YUM! A great learning experience for them too.
    Take care,
    Angela

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  11. Angela,
    Good morning...
    Thank you, I think that it's important for our children to learn about the food they love and how it's acquired and prepared.
    My nephew & niece can't wait to visit so that they can take part as well.
    Have a wonderful week:)

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  12. maybe next time, we will try your catch!

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  13. Maria, we would love that! We can look forward to many years of enjoying octopus together one way or another! :)

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