Octopus, Potatoes and Onions

17/11/2023

The recipe for octopus with potatoes and onions is a classic Mediterranean dish that combines the tenderness of slowly cooked octopus with the sweetness of the onions and the rustic texture of the potatoes. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

1 octopus, about 1-1.5 kg, already cleaned
4 medium potatoes
2 large onions
2 cloves of garlic
1 sprig of rosemary
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Coarse salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

Preparation

First, it is essential to tenderize the octopus. Place it in a large pot without water and cover it. Let it cook on low heat, allowing the octopus to release its liquids and cook in them for about an hour, checking occasionally and adding a trickle of water if necessary to prevent sticking.
In the meantime, peel the potatoes and cut them into medium-sized cubes. Peel and slice the onions as well.
Once cooked, remove the octopus from the pot and let it cool down. Filter the cooking liquid and set it aside.
Cut the octopus into pieces, keeping the tentacles whole as a decorative part of the dish.
In a large frying pan, sauté the garlic with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the sliced onions. Let the onions sweat until they become translucent.
Add the octopus pieces to the pan with the onions and let them flavor for a few minutes, then remove the garlic.
In another pot, cook the potatoes in salted boiling water until they are tender.
Drain the potatoes and add them to the octopus and onions, adjust with salt and pepper, and let the whole mix flavor for another 5-10 minutes, adding some of the octopus cooking liquid to keep the dish moist and tasty.
Serve hot, garnishing with a sprig of rosemary and an additional drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil.

Curiosity

Octopus is a highly appreciated ingredient in various Mediterranean cuisines, and each region has its own way of preparing it. In this recipe, we have a simple preparation that enhances the delicate taste of the octopus with just a few simple seasonings. The secret to tender octopus is slow cooking at a low temperature.