Gary wrote:
Hi All,

I've been away from the group for a LONG time -- but as I have a
question, I'm back, proverbial hat in proverbial hand.

A student was asking about the practice of placing a wine cork in with
octopus -- supposedly to tenderize it. After some testing, it was found
to have no effect. The question, then, is when did this practice begin
and where (it seems to be Mediterranean, and probably Italian, in
origin -- but I'm open to any better answers)?

Hey, good to see you around again.

This Italian-American with Italian immigrant grandparents (two from
north, two from south) who ate a lot of octopus has never seen nor heard
of this practice.

Pastorio