O Polvo (El Pulpo)

Introduction:

Every fall in October, Lugo has a massive festival that lasts for two weeks in honor of its patron saint, San Froilán, where the delicacy is fresh octopus. Of course I had to try it, many different times throughout the week.

What food did I try?:

Octopus! 

How did I feel when I tried it?:

I decided I would ignore the very visible suction cups on the sliced-up pieces of tentacles. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and bite (dive) in! 

How is the food prepared?:

It was freshly boiled and served with olive oil.

Is this food connected to the local environment? How?:

Octopus is very connected to Galician identity. Galicians are very costally-oriented and rely heavily on fresh sources of seafood--such as that of octopus. Here, whenever I go to the market on Tuesdays, I can always find new varieties of fresh fish. I've never been bold enough to buy a whole fresh octopus (they cost over 30 euro, which is quite expensive!) Although Lugo is not a coastal Galician town, its octopus roots run deep. The best places to eat octopus here are in as casetas, special restaurants devoted to making octopus dishes.

Location:
Lugo, Galicia