When in Spain ….

We had been told that when we get to Galicia we would have to try the local seafood delicacies. And the capital for sea food was Melide!

We arrived in Melide just after 10 this morning, and although it was a little early for lunch, we did stop at the cafe we had been told was the mecca for pilgrims and locals alike. They were just opening up for the day, and as we walked in we came past the cooking area and there in a large pot boiling over a gas flame was an octopus. That was it – the local delicacy!

Being a tad cautious, we ordered one serving, thinking that if it was too terrible, we wouldn’t waste too much. We watched as our meal was prepared. It seemed quite easy. Just grab a tenticle and cut it into bite sized chunks using a pair of large scissors! Serve on a wooden platter, sprinkle with olive oil and paprika, put in some toothpicks and bring it to the table!

Of course, nothing is served without the basket of bread and the bottle of wine. To our delight, the octopus tasted lovely and the plate was soon empty! We left the cafe some 40 minutes later having eaten octopus and consumed (between us) nearly a full bottle of wine -and all before 11:15 in the morning! I have to say we thoroughly enjoyed it and continued our walk in a very happy frame of mind!

But there is nothing like a walk with a pack to bring you back to earth!

At dinner last night we also had local delicacies. That was at Casa Domingo (thanks to Amigo Alan!) where we were treated to seven different dishes, including Galician vegetable soup, Galician cremed squash soup, grilled capsicum, pork pieces and Santigo cake. We have been treated really well in thefooddepartment all through thetrip, buttodaywas a bit special.

I don’t have a photo on the tablet of the octopus. That will have to wait  until we get home. But I do have a photo of the squid we  had for tea tonight. Not octopus, but almost the same!

Alan,

Arzua, Spain.

38km from Santiago. Thursday 23rd October.