Seafood main dishes

Baby octopus salad

⏱ 30 min🍳 15 min👤 3 pp★★★☆☆

Baby octopus salad is a wonderful seafood dish, and a good alternative to ordinary octopus salad, and if you fancy a change or your fishmonger only has baby octopus available, don’t hesitate to try it. As far as a dressing is concerned, all you have to do is look in your fridge and let your imagination run free, adding any vegetables you like. Be careful not to overcook the octopus: they can become hard!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 280 kcal / serving

Protein
32g
Carbohydrates
15g
Fat
12g
Fiber
2g

* approximate values per serving

Information
30 minutes Total time
15 minutes Active time
Serves 3 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Wash the baby octopus well, removing them of their beaks, eyes and entrails. Boil some water with a splash of vinegar, a bay leaf and two celery stalks. When it boils, cook the octopus for a few minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the salad: in a large bowl put a glug of extra virgin olive oil, a crushed clove of garlic, chopped tomatoes, carrot slices, celery slices, chopped parsley, and olives. Then add the chopped octopus with some boiled potatoes. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon juice. Serve warm or cold.

Tips
If you like, you can add lots of potatoes and your starter will turn into a more substantial main course which will satisfy the appetite of the hungriest of your guests.
Trivia
‘Moscardini’ are distinguished from normal octopus by the number of rows of suckers it has: while the moscardino has a single row of suckers, the octopus has two. In addition, the moscardino rarely exceeds 50g in weight.

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
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Additional information

Octopus Salad with Potatoes

A delicious variant of Octopus Salad includes the addition of potatoes, which enrich the dish with a creamy texture and a delicate flavor. To prepare this version, start by boiling the potatoes until tender, then cool them and cut them into cubes. Proceed as in the original recipe, combining the boiled octopus and all the other ingredients such as tomatoes, carrots, and olives. Extra virgin olive oil and lemon will add freshness to the dish. This combination makes the salad not only more substantial but also perfect as a main dish, ideal for summer lunches or light dinners. The presence of potatoes makes the salad more nutritious, satisfying even the most discerning palates.

Octopus Salad in Mediterranean Style

Another interpretation of Octopus Salad is the Mediterranean style, where fresh and genuine flavors take center stage. In this preparation, in addition to the octopus, you can add typical ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, such as capers and feta, to give a touch of savoriness that pairs perfectly with the fish. The preparation remains similar, with the boiled octopus mixed with tomatoes, olives, and a dressing made of olive oil, lemon, and oregano. This variant is perfect for those who love intense and fresh flavors, representing an excellent choice for an appetizer or a light second course, rich in nutrients and sea flavors.

Light Octopus Salad

For those looking for a lighter option, Octopus Salad can be prepared in a light version, reducing the dressing and increasing the amount of vegetables. In this preparation, you can choose to use only a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon, avoiding more caloric ingredients like olives. Add a greater variety of fresh vegetables, such as arugula or spinach, to give volume and freshness to the dish without weighing it down. This light version is perfect for those on a controlled diet, still maintaining a rich and satisfying flavor, ideal for those who want to eat healthy without giving up taste.

Nutritional Benefits of Octopus Salad

Octopus is a main ingredient in the salad and offers numerous nutritional benefits. It is rich in protein and low in fat, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet. Additionally, it contains essential minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium, as well as B vitamins. The calories in a serving of Octopus Salad are around 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. The addition of fresh vegetables like tomatoes and carrots also provides fiber, which is useful for digestion and for maintaining a sense of fullness. In short, a dish that not only satisfies the palate but also supports a healthy diet.

Can Octopus Salad be Frozen?

A common question regarding Octopus Salad is whether it can be frozen. In general, it is not recommended to freeze the salad once prepared, as the fresh vegetables and octopus may lose texture and flavor. However, if you wish to preserve the octopus, you can boil it and freeze it separately. When you are ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator and then add it to the salad with fresh ingredients. This way, you can enjoy an octopus salad prepared on the spot, keeping the flavors and freshness of the other ingredients intact.