In fact, small octopuses are not at all small - they are quite adult and large individuals of the Aegina octopus species. You can cook all the same dishes from them that you are used to doing with large octopuses, but it is much more interesting to use their miniature sizes and bring to life some special recipe.
It is necessary
-
- Pickled octopus skewers
- 500 g of peeled small octopuses;
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lemon;
- 2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons freshly chopped oregano
- ½ teaspoon of ground cloves;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- barbecue sticks.
- Small octopus pasta
- 1 kg of small octopuses;
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 pack of spaghetti;
- 12 fresh mint leaves;
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 cloves of garlic;
- a pinch of red chili pepper flakes;
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper.
Instructions
Step 1
Pickled octopus skewers
Thaw octopuses at room temperature if they are frozen.
Step 2
Prepare the marinade. Pour oil into a bowl or container, squeeze lemon juice, add puréed garlic and spices. Place the octopuses in the marinade, stir well and cover with cling film or a lid. Refrigerate and marinate for 12 to 24 hours.
Step 3
Get the octopuses out of the refrigerator. Skewer and grill on preheated grill for 3 minutes on each side. This shish kebab looks like an outlandish lollipop and will surely appeal to children.
Step 4
Small octopus pasta
Take a large saucepan, fill it with water, salt and bring to a boil. Dip the spaghetti in boiling water and cook for about 8 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta through a drushlag, return the pasta to the pot, cover and set aside.
Step 5
In another large saucepan, place the octopuses, add red wine vinegar and enough water to just cover the octopuses. Turn on high heat and cook until the octopuses change color. Immediately remove them from the fire. Drain and set aside.
Step 6
Cut the garlic into long thin petals. In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil and saute the garlic in it, add the chili flakes and add the tomato sauce. Heat the sauce for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spaghetti and octopus, stir well. Add the mint leaves and cook for about a minute over high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
