I finally figured out how to transform the rubbery “look” of octopus into a tender delicacy. Here it is:

Prep time: 10 minutes (pesto) and 45 minutes (for boiling octopus)
Serves: 4 (as an appetizer)

First, make the Red Bell Pepper Pesto-
Ingredients for Red Bell Pepper Pesto:
2 red bell peppers
2 garlic cloves, hearts removed
3/4 cup raw, slivered almonds
3 to 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
1/3 cup cold water
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. Lay the bell peppers and garlic on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

2. Transfer the baking sheet to an oven rack positioned 6 inches away from oven top broiler element.

3. Broil the peppers and garlic until charred – about 7 minutes; turn them over and grill the other side.

4. When peppers and garlic are charred, transfer them to a cold plate; set aside to cool.

5. When peppers are cool enough to handle, peel them and discard skins. Remove and discard stems and seeds.

6. Transfer peppers and remaining ingredients to a food processor; process until a paste (pesto) forms.

7. Using a spoon, taste the pesto. If it is too thin, cover the food processor and add 2 more tablespoons olive oil in a thin stream. Taste again and, if needed, adjust salt & pepper levels.

8. Transfer the pesto to a glass or porcelain jar, cover and refrigerate.

Meanwhile, prepare the octopus:

Ingredients for the Octopus:
1 whole octopus (fresh or frozen and thawed)
2 tablespoons olive oil, to oil baking sheet
Mint leaf sprigs, as garnish

Directions:
1. In a 6-quart saucepot, bring water to a boil.

2. Add the octopus to the boiling water and boil for 45 minutes. It will look like this:
Image.OctopusinPot

3. After 45 minutes, prepare a large bowl of cold water with ice cubes.

4. Using tongs, carefully lift octopus from boiling water and immediately transfer it to the ice bath:
Image.OctopusIce

5. Wait 5 minutes for the octopus to cool. After it has cooled, drain the water from the octopus. Face down, the octopus will look like this:
Image.OctopusFaceDown

6. Turn the octopus face-up. It will look like this (I know it looks kinda gross, but bear with me):
Image.OctopustoBehead

7. Cut off the head and discard it.

8. Cut all the tentacles in a vertical manner (do not discard any flesh) and place them on an oiled baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

9. Remove the fatty, purple skin (on the underside only- do not remove the suction cups) to expose the white flesh. The octopus legs will look like this:
Image.OctopustoGrill

10. Brush the octopus tentacles with olive oil; sprinkle them with salt and ground black pepper.

11. Place the baking sheet with octopus on an oven rack positioned 6 inches below top broiler element.

12. Broil/grill the octopus for 12 to 15 minutes.

13. After 12 to 15 minutes, transfer the octopus to a plate & garnish with mint leaves.

14. Serve immediately with Red Bell Pepper Pesto.

Did you bear with me? Here’s our final delicacy:
Image.GrilledOctopusFinal
Wine Pairing Suggestion: Chilled Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Text and Photographs ©2017 Nancy DeLucia Real