If you like seafood you have probably explored many different dishes. I used to get some really funny looks when asking for octopus at fish counters back in the UK. Maybe tentacles wake up lovecraftian horrors in people’s minds. But nothing could deter me when I thought of octopus with macaroni! There’s no reason to fear octopus, their tentacles are mouth-wateringly fleshy and tender when cooked properly.

The easiest way to go for them would be on the grill, but I am going for a winter recipe. This is by far my favourite Greek seafood dish, octopus with macaroni.

Here is what you will need:

Ingredients:

• 1 large octopus or 2 small, approx 1 kg
• 2 onions
• 120 ml olive oil
• 120 ml white wine
• A pinch of sugar
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves
• A small bunch of parsley
• 500 gr macaroni, small tube pasta
• 500 gr chopped tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

What to doίρισμα

1. Clean your octopus thoroughly and pay attention to the suckers, as they are susceptible to collecting sand. Cut the tentacles into small bite sized pieces, longer for the tips and slightly shorter as you get closer to the root. Set the octopus aside and turn your hob on.
2. Warm your olive oil and add the chopped onion. Cook the onion until translucent and add the chopped octopus.
3. Give it a quick stir in the pan until the octopus changes colour. Mix in the tomato paste, stir well and put off with the wine.
4. Let the wine evaporate, add the chopped tomatoes, bays leaves, parsley and enough warm water to cover everything. Let it simmer on a medium heat until your octopus is tender. This normally takes around 30 minutes, but is not set in stone, so keep checking the beast in your pot.
5. Once you are happy with your octopus’s tenderness you can add in the pasta. Also sprinkle in salt and pepper along with a pinch of sugar too. If your sauce has evaporated, pour on some more warm water to cover everything. Let your macaroni cook in the sauce for 10-12 minutes. Add salt and pepper along with your pasta and also a pinch of sugar. If your octopus is fresh it can be quite salty, so try it as you go and add more salt if necessary.

with love from Athens!

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