At the risk of making you squirm, when last did you eat a plate of proper octopus? I’m not talking about the delicate tentacles of a calamari, but the real deal of juicy, fat, pink tentacles studded with suckers.

The summer days are here – they remind me of holiday time in Rooi Els and Arniston, where we catch octopus off the rocks and turn them into delicious bouillabaisse or simply grill them on the braai and serve them with bowls of garlic aioli.

One of my best-ever comfort foods (I have many) is a tub of pickled octopus immersed in chilli lemon and olive oil from Giovanni’s in Sea Point. I hardly ever see octopus on restaurant menus, but last week I was thrilled to see George Jardine at Jordan Restaurant in Stellenbosch preparing a stockpot filled with a huge octopus simmering in red wine. I was amazed how he transformed this, let’s face it, rather unattractive sea creature – into a beautiful octopus and tuna carpaccio presented with coriander flowers picked from the vegetable garden.

I think I need an island holiday in Greece where I can indulge in plates of stewed tentacles, ice cream and plenty of Greek salads. But this year Rooi Els will have to do and here’s hoping for an octopus catch.

Happy summer eating,
Abigail

(picture: octopus carpaccio courtesy of www.tastemag.co.za.)