We will start our article with a quote from Guy Fieri, a popular American restaurateur, TV host and cookbook author, who says: “If you are feeling adventurous, cut up some marinated octopus. It is so healthy! ”
In fact, whether marinated and grated or simply grilled, octopus is an incredible source of nutrients. In addition to being a delicious seafood delicacy, its consumption is recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, bronchitis, asthma, etc. It also balances blood cholesterol levels and is especially suitable for those suffering from diabetes.
Having clarified why it is good to eat octopus regularly, as well as that it can be prepared in different ways, let us also show you some very successful side dishes to serve with it.
Fresh salads
Fresh green salads of lettuce, iceberg, butterhead lettuce, lollo rosso, valerian, arugula and others go very well with any seafood delicacies, including octopus. And since the latter is particularly valued by the Greeks, you won't go wrong if you serve it with the traditional Greek salad.
Classic stewed or grilled vegetables
Delicious side dishes suitable for octopus can be prepared from vegetables stewed in oil such as peas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn, etc. Grilled vegetables are also a good idea, to which you can add onions, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, eggplants, etc.
Potatoes and rice
We won't go into details here, because these are well-known side dishes that go well with almost any seafood, meat, and fish. Plain boiled jasmine rice or mushroom risotto, mashed potatoes, fries, baked, or steamed potatoes - all of them are suitable side dishes for octopus. Use your imagination!
Baked chicory
You probably associate chicory only with teas, but in this case we are referring to chicory heads, which, when baked, make a wonderful side dish for octopus. Simply wash them, cut them in two and grill them for about 5 minutes on each side in a grill pan with a little olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper.
Polenta
Known as polenta in Mediterranean countries and as kachamak in Balkan countries, this side dish is made from cornmeal and water or milk. Since you will be serving it with octopus, you can also add spices such as oregano, garlic, black pepper, mint, etc.
Fava
For many, the term fava raises questions, but it is actually yellow peas, from which the well-known Greek appetizer is also prepared, which serves wonderfully as a side dish with octopus and which is truly emblematic of the island of Santorini.
To cook fava, it is best to follow the instructions on the manufacturer's packaging. Once they are soft, add red onion, garlic and salt to taste. When everything is cooked, remove the onion and garlic and blend the mixture so that it has a consistency similar to puree.
Serve the octopus with the side dish after you have drizzled it generously with olive oil, added a red onion cut into strips, a handful of capers, a pinch of black pepper and oregano. Octopus with fava is a true Greek classic that will have you licking your fingers!
Check out our tips for cooking delicious octopus and learn how to make octopus less tough.
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