Home

Octopus Salad with Fennel and Oranges

17/11/2023

The octopus salad with fennel and oranges is a fresh, light and fragrant dish that pairs sea flavors and citrus fruits, perfect as an appetizer or as a main dish for a summer meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 octopus of about 1-1.5 kg
  • 2 medium-sized fennels
  • 2 oranges
  • Pitted Taggiasca olives (to taste)
  • Fresh parsley (to taste)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vinegar or lemon juice (optional)

Preparation

  1. Clean the octopus by removing the innards and the central beak. Rinse well under cold running water.

  2. Boil the octopus in boiling water for about 40-60 minutes or until it becomes tender. One method to make the octopus softer is to immerse it and lift it three times from the boiling water before leaving it to cook completely. This helps to “scare” the octopus making its flesh more tender.

  3. Once cooked, drain the octopus and let it cool. In the meantime, slice the fennel thinly, preferably using a mandoline.

  4. Peel the oranges “to the flesh,” meaning removing all the white part. Then cut the oranges into slices or wedges.

  5. Cut the octopus into pieces or rings, according to preference.

  6. In a large bowl, combine the octopus, sliced fennel, orange wedges, and Taggiasca olives. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you like, you can also add a dash of vinegar or lemon juice for a more acidic note.

  7. Gently mix the ingredients and let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

  8. Before serving, adjust salt and pepper if necessary and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Curiosity

The octopus is a very appreciated ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine and it is often recommended to “scare” it to obtain a more tender texture. This dish combines the flavors of seafood with the freshness of citrus and the crunchiness of fennel, creating a harmony of flavors and textures that are very pleasant to the palate. In many coastal areas of Italy, especially in Sicily and Sardinia, octopus salad is a true culinary tradition.

Enjoy your meal!

Octopus Salad with Fennel and Oranges