Octopus is a mollusk that has two eyes and four pairs of tentacles. It has no skeleton and is bilaterally symmetrical. Octopus meat contains easily digestible valuable proteins, selenium, important trace elements, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins B3 and B12. Like most seafood, octopus is dietary and beneficial for health.
When preparing it, a certain processing technology must be followed. First, it must be washed, then its ink sac must be removed and the skin cleaned.
When boiling octopus, it is very important to take it out as soon as it softens. Otherwise, the meat becomes tough.
Some recommend pouring the water out several times to remove the characteristic smell of the mollusk. You can also put corks in the water when boiling, because the cork contains an enzyme that makes the meat more tender.
Octopus is suitable for a main course or for salads, it can be prepared baked, boiled, stewed in oil or marinated. In many Mediterranean recipes, it is prepared with a bouquet of spices, or stewed with white or red wine.
The eyes, entrails and the area around the mouth of the octopus cannot be eaten. It is good to marinate it with olive oil, spices and wine before stewing.
Fresh octopus has light colored eyes and has the smell of ocean water, when buying it pay attention to these indicators.
See our suggestion for delicious octopus and potato salad.
Required products: 1 large octopus, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tsp. paprika, 3 tbsp. chopped mint, 1-2 cloves of garlic, 2 sliced cucumbers, 600 g potatoes, salt, olive oil and black pepper to taste.
Preparation: Wash the octopus and place it in a pot of cold water. Add a pinch of salt and cook over low heat until tender. When it is ready, strain it from the water and while it is still warm, remove the dark skin and suctions cups from the tentacles. Also remove the hard part that is in the middle of the body.
Cut the octopus into large pieces and season it with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper.
Boil the potatoes and cut them into pieces. In a large bowl, mix the potatoes, octopus, cucumbers, garlic and mint. Add salt, black pepper, paprika, olive oil and lemon juice. Mix very well and consume immediately.
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