Octopus Salad

Submitted by Chuck Hughes

"Recipe courtesy Mario's, Bronx, NY"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 5 lbs baby octopus
• salt
• 2 cups finely chopped celery
• 1⁄2 - 3⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 1⁄3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaf, snipped
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 15 pitted california black olives
• 5 garlic cloves, sliced
• fresh ground black pepper

directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the octopus to the water, two at a time. When the water returns to a boil, remove the octopus and set aside to cool. Repeat with the remaining octopus.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the octopus and simmer until the meat is tender, 20 to 40 minutes. Drain and chill under cold running water. Cut off any non-fleshy parts including the "beak" and discard. Cut into bite-size pieces.
3. Put the octopus pieces in a large bowl and add the celery, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, basil, red pepper flakes, olives, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to blend and let stand 1 hour.