The other night while eating out, James informed us that octopuses are extremely intelligent and that is why he would not eat them! I also learnt that they have 4 pairs of arms. I never thought of the tentacles as being pairs. What I do know is that it is the tentacles you need to make this octopus spaghetti.
Octopus Spaghetti
I have been trying to sort out the clothes I need for our September holiday as we are going to be away for longer than usual, and we are travelling home during the day this trip instead of overnight. I have travelling clothes that are comfortable to sleep in but what I need for the return flight are clothes that will be suitable for when we get off the plane in the evening here. I also need to ensure that any winter wear I need is purchased now during our cold season. The temperature here at the moment is what I expect it to be in Europe at the time of the year we go so I am getting my wardrobe organized now. This is not as easy as it should be as I keep on changing my mind about what I am going to wear, and of course there is no guarantee I will feel like wearing those exact clothes in 3 months time. I have created a spreadsheet of the outfits I have chosen and all the bits and pieces I need to go with them. The hardest thing for me to ever find are socks in a variety of colours. Finding black socks is a doddle but brown, pink or even blue socks not so much. The place I buy most of my clothes at sells them in packs of 3 and there is always a colour I will never wear in the selection, or they have a pair of black socks in them. And I have more than enough pairs of black socks! Talking of pairs, as I said above, octopus legs are counted in pairs. Did you find that as strange as I did?
This method of cooking the octopus results in the most tender octopus I have ever had
Recipe Category: Italian
Makes enough for: 4people
All Rights Reserved: Adapted from Made In Sicily, Giorgio Locatelli page 228
Ingredients
for the parsley and garlic garnish
1clovegarlic
1handfulflat leaf parsley
for the spaghetti with octopus
1frozen octopus
2red chillies
90mlsolive oil, divided, plus extra for drizzling
1largehandful flat leaf parsley
3clovesgarlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
360gdried spaghetti
12bella tomatoes, halved
Method
for the parsley and garlic garnish
Crush the garlic clove on a chopping board using the back of a chefs knife
Place the parsley onto the board on top of the garlic
Chop finely and set aside
for the spaghetti with octopus
Defrost the octopus
Remove the head and discard
Cut the top off one of the chillies and remove the seeds
Place into a stock pot with the parsley and 30mls of the oil
Lightly crush the garlic cloves, leaving the paper on and add to the pot
Place the octopus in the pot, put the lid on and place on a low temperature on the stove
Simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally, ensuring that the tentacles are covered by the cooking liquid
Remove from the heat and leave to cool until you can handle the octopus
Bring a large pot of water to the boil
Cut the tentacles into bite size pieces
Add salt to the boiling water and cook the pasta for a minute less than the package instructions
Place the rest of the oil into a large frying pan and heat over a medium temperature
Add the tomatoes and when slightly softened, crush with the back of a spoon
Finely chop the chilli and add to the pan
If the octopus cooking liquid is not too salty add 60mls to the pan, if it is too salty add the pasta cooking water instead
Add the octopus and heat through and season to taste
Drain the pasta, reserving some of the water, and add the pasta to the pan
Cook for 1 minute, adding some of the reserved cooking water if necessary
Toss through the garlic and parsley and serve drizzled with olive oil
Notes
I would recommend using frozen octopus for this as it means less work as the freezer does the tenderizing. If you can only find a fresh one, either place it into the freezer or bash it with a hammer.
I am passionate about using regional, seasonable and sustainable produce when I cook. I live in Gordons Bay with my husband and dogs. We visit new places locally and overseas as often as we can to experience the food of the area. Follow along on our adventures!
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53 thoughts on “Octopus Spaghetti | Spaghetti Al Polpo”
Nice. When you say ‘One frozen octopus’… what size are we talking please Tandy?
Dave says the one we caught was quite small, but the recipe should work for what ever size octopus you can get, as long as the tentacles remain covered in liquid.
Holy cow, you really meant octopus! Not something I’ve eaten or seen available here. You learn every day! And I love how you created a spreadsheet for your clothes….great way to get outfits to match and make sure you have what you need, but not too much either.
Now this is a dish I can 100% get behind! I just LOVE octopus and I order it at Italian restaurants all the time. Can’t wait to try this one. Thanks for the great inspiration Tandy!
I’ve cooked octopus a few times and only got it right once. That time, I used oil to cook it in, and it was nice and tender. Using water just isn’t the same. So I’m glad to see that your method uses oil.
I have never had octopus beforw and really not planning in near future too but Your recipe has taken away some of viewing fears! This really looks appetizing..
I’m with James- I’m conflicted about eating octopus. They are really intelligent and they’re also one of my favorite animals to see on a dive. On the other hand, they’re delicious. I would have to try this dish for sure.
Tandy I am in awe of your organisational skill, that’ is amazing and something I need to be better at. Your pasta looks amazing! I too stopped eating octopi for the same reason as James — even so I still look at it and remember that it tastes great. Love the spicy touch you added too.
Like you had no idea that the tentacles came in pairs 🙂 Love what you made – the octopus looks delicious. That’s funny that you have a spreadsheet of your travel clothes..lol!!
I didn’t know that octopus legs are considered pairs. What makes this even more strange is when I visit the podiatrist, he tells me I don’t have a pair of feet but just two feet that happen to appear similar but are in fact not a pair. I laughed about too many black socks. I like Bonds undies but if you buy them as a two pack, one pair is always white. So do I buy the pair and end up with too many white undies or buy them in singles and end up paying more? I went with the first option but have now reverted to the second as I don’t need any more white knickers!
My husband would love this recipe, he loves octopus ! It looks absolutely delicious… Hmm, wonder how the kids would go, Bahaha.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
I didn’t know they were pairs! that makes me feel weird, kind of! Actually, I want this dish right now!
Where are you going for your holiday?
I love traveling! We are headed to the UK to see our family soon, it should be really fun, especially since they haven’t met B yet!
Nice. When you say ‘One frozen octopus’… what size are we talking please Tandy?
Dave says the one we caught was quite small, but the recipe should work for what ever size octopus you can get, as long as the tentacles remain covered in liquid.
My husband actually ate something very similar to those in Santorini. He said he wanted to make it now we are home, so I will pass this on to him.
I am quite sure the dish would be similar given the occupation by Greece of Italy 🙂
Holy cow, you really meant octopus! Not something I’ve eaten or seen available here. You learn every day! And I love how you created a spreadsheet for your clothes….great way to get outfits to match and make sure you have what you need, but not too much either.
I am so pleases someone appreciates my spreadsheet!
Hi Tandy, I heard the same thing about the octopus, (being extremely intelligent). Did not know that freezing tenderizes, very informative post.
I knew about the tenderizing but was most surprised by the intelligence 🙂
Now this is a dish I can 100% get behind! I just LOVE octopus and I order it at Italian restaurants all the time. Can’t wait to try this one. Thanks for the great inspiration Tandy!
Hope you enjoy it Sarah 🙂
What a seriously gorgeous pasta dish!! I love everything about it. I also want to hear more about your September trip!
I will share more about my trip soon 🙂
Its look sooo delicious. Perfect dish!
thanks for sharing recipes with us here. Looking more from you dear
my pleasure 🙂
I’ve cooked octopus a few times and only got it right once. That time, I used oil to cook it in, and it was nice and tender. Using water just isn’t the same. So I’m glad to see that your method uses oil.
I also find that cooking it in water is not the best way 🙂
Wow this is great! I didn’t expect you to have a whole octopus. This looks so flavorful and hearty!
We caught it ourselves Mary 🙂
What a lovely website! I will definitely try this recipe…
Thanks!
Thank you!
Octopus is my favorite seafood, it’s bit of an effort but totally worth it! Great recipe, will try it next time I get hold of some octopus.
I agree, totally worth it 🙂
I have never had octopus beforw and really not planning in near future too but Your recipe has taken away some of viewing fears! This really looks appetizing..
Thanks Sahar 🙂
My kids are quite advenutrous eaters and I think they would try it. I love how organized you are with a spread sheet for packing clothes!
I am a very big list maker 🙂
Hehe I’ve never heard that the legs were paired! I always just read that they had 8 legs, not 4 pairs! 😛
That is exactly what I thought 🙂
I’m with James- I’m conflicted about eating octopus. They are really intelligent and they’re also one of my favorite animals to see on a dive. On the other hand, they’re delicious. I would have to try this dish for sure.
It would be great to see them on a dive 🙂
Tandy I am in awe of your organisational skill, that’ is amazing and something I need to be better at. Your pasta looks amazing! I too stopped eating octopi for the same reason as James — even so I still look at it and remember that it tastes great. Love the spicy touch you added too.
That is so interesting to read that you stopped eating octopus!
Like you had no idea that the tentacles came in pairs 🙂 Love what you made – the octopus looks delicious. That’s funny that you have a spreadsheet of your travel clothes..lol!!
It helps me a lot!
I didn’t know that octopus legs are considered pairs. What makes this even more strange is when I visit the podiatrist, he tells me I don’t have a pair of feet but just two feet that happen to appear similar but are in fact not a pair. I laughed about too many black socks. I like Bonds undies but if you buy them as a two pack, one pair is always white. So do I buy the pair and end up with too many white undies or buy them in singles and end up paying more? I went with the first option but have now reverted to the second as I don’t need any more white knickers!
There is not a hope in hell you will find white knickers in my drawer!
Looks delicious! Did you catch the octopus yourself or buy it?
We caught it ourselves 🙂
My husband would love this recipe, he loves octopus ! It looks absolutely delicious… Hmm, wonder how the kids would go, Bahaha.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Let me know if the kids ate it Julie 🙂
I have never cooked octopus before but I have enjoyed it. I wonder what this dish would be like if it was grilled.
I shall give that a go and report back 🙂
I didn’t know they were pairs! that makes me feel weird, kind of! Actually, I want this dish right now!
Where are you going for your holiday?
I love traveling! We are headed to the UK to see our family soon, it should be really fun, especially since they haven’t met B yet!
That is so exciting! I will share more in the next couple of months 🙂
YEAS…. I am in love with this dish. Such a budget friendly but restaurant style feed. I can’t wait to try. Yum!
Nice to know it is budget friendly 🙂
Certainly you don’t mean add 60 ml salt. I would suggest salt to taste.
As per the recipe, salt to season!