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Insalata di Polpo – Italian Octopus Salad


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4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Author: Cara Quinn
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Diet: Pescatarian, Omnivore

Description

A refreshing Italian octopus salad. Perfect as an antipasto or light meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 octopuses (1 lbs (454 g) each) octopuses
  • 2 carrots (or a handful of baby carrots, diced) carrots
  • 2 stalks celery (diced) celery
  • 4-6 yellow cherry tomatoes (halved or quartered) yellow cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 small red onion (finely chopped) small red onion
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) flat-leaf Italian parsley flat-leaf Italian parsley
  • 1 clove garlic (finely chopped) garlic
  • 2 lemons juice lemons
  • Olive oil olive oil
  • Salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Octopus
  2. Place the octopuses and a cork in a large pot of cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle boil and cook for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the octopus to cool to room temperature in the cooking water.
  3. Prepare the Vegetables
  4. Dice the carrots, onion, and celery finely. Halve the cherry tomatoes and mince the garlic. Chop the flat-leaf Italian parsley and set all prepared ingredients aside.
  5. Assemble the Salad
  6. Remove the cooled octopus from the water, pat it dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add to a bowl with the diced vegetables. Add extra-virgin olive oil, the juice of one lemon, and salt to taste.
  7. Marinate and Serve
  8. Let the salad sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Before serving, stir, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

Notes

  • For tender octopus, ensure the water comes to a rolling boil before adding the octopus and cork.
  • Substitute other firm vegetables like fennel or bell peppers for the carrots and celery.
  • Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; the flavors will meld beautifully.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Marinating Time: 30 min
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 300
  • Fat: 15
  • Saturated Fat: 3
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15
  • Fiber: 4
  • Protein: 20
  • Cholesterol: 100