Oktapodi Toursi (Pickled Octopus)

Iowahorse's Note:

A classic Greek inspired dish.

• Total Time: 97 hrs
• Prep Time: 96 hrs
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 ¼ lbs baby octopus
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic
• salt , to taste
• black pepper , to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• lemon wedge , to serve

Directions:

1. Prepare and wash the octopus.
2. Place the head and tentacles in a pan with 6-8tbsp water, cover and simmer for 60 to 75 minutes until it is tender.
3. Test it with a skewer.
4. Drain off any remaining liquid and set aside to cool.
5. Cut the flesh into 1/2" strips and pack them loosely into a screw-topped jar.
6. Mix enough oil and vinegar to fill the jar- the exact amount will depend on the relative volumes of the seafood and the container- stir in the garlic and season with salt and pepper.
7. If you are using dried thyme, mix it with the liquid at this stage.
8. Pour it over the octopus, making sure that every last piece is completely immersed.
9. If you are using thyme stalks, push them into the jar.
10. Cover the jar and set it aside for at least 4-5 days before using.
11. To serve, drain the octopus and serve it on small individual plates or saucers with the lemon wedges.
12. Cubes of at least one-day old bread, speared on cocktail sticks, are the usual accompaniment.

Reviews

[rosslare]

Very nice, suttle and well balanced flavour, just like the ones I had in Greece years ago. I just wondered, as I am not used handling octopus, if preparing the octopus involves taking the skin off? It turns red as cooked and seems to create a lot of "crumbs" in cooking water, wich need to be rinsed off the octopus bits before marinating them. Nevertheless, end result was so good, I will be making it again. Skin off or on.