Certainly! Barbecued octopus with lemon and oregano is a delicious and unique dish. Here’s a simple recipe for you to try:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole octopus (cleaned and gutted)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
- Prep the Octopus:
- Rinse the octopus under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- If the octopus has a beak, you can remove it by cutting it out.
- Optionally, you can tenderize the octopus by freezing it for a few hours and then thawing before cooking. This helps to break down the tough fibers.
- Marinate:
- In a bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, chopped oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
- Place the octopus in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Allow the octopus to marinate for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You can refrigerate it during this time.
- Prepare the Grill:
- Preheat your barbecue or grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the Octopus:
- Remove the octopus from the marinade and thread it onto skewers or grill it directly.
- Grill the octopus for about 5-7 minutes per side or until it develops a nice char and is cooked through. Cooking times may vary based on the size of the octopus, so adjust accordingly.
- Serve:
- Once the octopus is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Slice the octopus into bite-sized pieces and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
- Garnish:
- Optionally, you can drizzle a bit more olive oil over the grilled octopus and sprinkle with additional fresh oregano for added flavor.
Enjoy your barbecued octopus with lemon and oregano! It’s a delightful dish with a perfect balance of flavors.