There’s nothing quite like a Sunday afternoon by the Aegean, where every meal turns into a laid-back celebration of family, tradition, and the joy of working together. Our ritual starts early, with a trip to the local bidding market. My father returns with the freshest catch—and what he calls “the materials”—those extra sides that add a special twist to our spread: octopus and calamari, all prepared in true Aegean style.

Back at home, the real magic begins. My father immediately gets to work cleaning and boiling the octopus until it’s perfectly tender. At one point, my mom and dad pause to share a single cold beer together—a quiet, shared moment that sets a relaxed, lighthearted tone for the day.

Once the octopus is ready, my brother and I jump in to chop it up and mix it with fresh, local tomatoes, a generous squeeze of lemon, and a drizzle of olive oil. The result is a vibrant, refreshing octopus salad that ties the meal together beautifully.

Meanwhile, my mom turns her attention to the calamari. In our family tradition, she uses a secret step to ensure it comes out sweet and soft. After slicing the calamari, she gives it a quick soak in soda water with a dash of bicarbonate of soda. This tenderizes the calamari and brings out a subtle sweetness. Then, as she begins to fry it to a crispy perfection, the irresistible aroma has another effect. The calamari practically disappears—eaten by our family as we gather around the kitchen, unable to resist snacking on it while it’s still hot. By the time the rest of the dishes are ready, there’s hardly a piece left to make it to the table.

As all this is happening, my father fires up the grill for our local fish, and I take charge of the final touches. I squeeze fresh Çeşme lemons over the fish, mix in olive oil and a pinch of salt, and give it a good shake to coat every piece. The flavors blend together in a way that makes the whole process as memorable as the meal itself.

For us, Sundays by the Aegean aren’t just about the food; they’re about tradition, teamwork, and that cool, relaxed vibe that makes every moment feel genuine. Whether it’s the playful challenge of working around a bit of sand or the shared warmth of that one cold beer between my parents, these moments remind us of who we are and where we come from.