Ingredients
- 1 (3 to 4pound) frozen whole octopus
Marinade:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lemons, peeled, seeded and diced
- Olive oil
- 6 wooden skewers, soaked in cold water
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
Directions
Defrost the octopus by placing it in a bowl of lightly salted water in the refrigerator, until pliable or overnight. Press out the beak. Clip the eyes from the head and discard. Turn the hood inside out and discard the viscera. Wash and rinse thoroughly under cold running water.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place the octopus in a deep ovenproof pan and cover, without adding water. Place in oven and cook until the octopus is bright pink-red and feels tender, turning the octopus frequently, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain the octopus in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Rub off the skin and discard. Shake the octopus dry, rub the flesh with the coarse salt and leave to dry on a towel-lined plate or baking pan in the refrigerator, covered, at least 2 hours.
Cut the chilled octopus into 2-inch pieces and tightly pack into a 1-quart jar.
In a small saucepan, combine the olive oil, vinegar, oregano, bay leaves, sugar, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Pour the liquid over the octopus in the jar. Add the lemon pulp, and if necessary pour in olive oil until the marinade covers the octopus. Cover, cool, and refrigerate overnight, or up to 1 week.
Remove jar from the refrigerator about 1 hour before serving.
Preheat a grill. Skewer the octopus pieces, reserving the marinade. Grill the octopus until browned along the edges and heated through, turning once and brushing with the reserved marinade. Serve with lemon wedges.













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By bosstown101_9919362
Austin, TX
on February 08, 2009
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I made this once following the step-by-step directions and it was fabulous. I made it again this week but modified it. I didn't oven roast it, I gently simmered it in salted water for 90 minutes with two corks in an effort to get the octopus as tender as possible. I also didn't bother to remove the skin because I found out that octopus skin can add a gelatinous quality that I wanted to try. The remaining process was the same and the results were just as great, if not better. I'm a sucker for octopus now and I'm grateful that we can find it here in Austin.
By luisma1972_7424548
Caracas
on March 14, 2007
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Y tried this recipe and the results were were fantastic.
By wandaspikes_4893320
crownsville, MD
on February 01, 2006
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Although this recipe takes a little time in preparation and marinating it was a big hit at a dinner club. I was surprised to see the receptivity to octopus. Would definitely repeat.
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