Preparing Grilled Octopus with Garlic and Lemon might sound complex, but it’s quite manageable with these easy steps:

1. Clean the Octopus: If not already done, ensure the octopus is cleaned. Remove the ink sac, beak, and internal organs.
2. Boil the Octopus: In a large pot of salted water, bring to a boil. Add the octopus and simmer for about 40-50 minutes or until tender. Make sure to check for doneness with a fork.
3. Cool the Octopus: Once cooked, remove from the pot and let it cool slightly. This will make it easier to handle.
4. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Marinate the Octopus: Cut the octopus into manageable pieces (tentacles and body) and place them in the marinade. Let it sit for at least 1 hour to absorb the flavors.
6. Preheat the Grill: While the octopus is marinating, heat your grill to medium-high and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
7. Grill the Octopus: Place the marinated octopus on the grill. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until charred and slightly crispy.
8. Garnish: Once cooked, remove from the grill, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and drizzle with more olive oil if desired.
9. Serve: Cut into smaller pieces if necessary, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

This straightforward approach ensures that you’ll end up with beautifully grilled octopus that’s packed with flavor.