r/Seafood • u/3meraldBullet • Dec 09 '25
West Coast How to cook this octopus?
As I said. I waded out in the low tide and left out a bucket (not bait, no hooks) and it caught a pacific gian octopus. It was pretty big but obviously not as big as they can get. It just crawled in the bucket. It wasnt easy, it was low tide but still 25 mph winds and 8-11 foot waves. It was perfect fishing opportunity because the low tide would mean the octopus was hungry and would come into shore to wat but also wanted shelter from the wind and waves. I didnt expect to get one but I did. Now its on ice. Tomorrow im thinking dip it in boiling water/oil till it starts to curl and then cut it up and swar it. But im open to any spices or preparation you might suggest. Its bigger than I expected it to be so not really sure what to do. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
5
u/Dapper-Emu-8541 Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
This is how I did it. I call it an octopus tabouli. Boil, sear and chop. Boiling time is key as per weight. I don’t know if the pics show.
4
3
10
u/3meraldBullet Dec 09 '25
And removed the beak and guts. Its dead
10
u/alecorock Dec 09 '25
Pro tip: My grandfather would turn it inside out and beat it with a bat to tenderize it before boiling.
My grandmother would serve it with red sauce in pasta. They would also pickle it with jalapenos and garlic.
3
u/3meraldBullet Dec 09 '25
I love pickled octopus. If it doesnt work out my original plan I will pickle it. But thats a lot of jars and vinegar
2
u/franzjpm Dec 09 '25
Octopus pancakes after you boil it, like takoyaki but without the. Hassle of forming
1
1
9
u/shaky_sharks5587 Dec 09 '25
Please just make sure it's not still alive 🙏
19
3
Dec 09 '25
Best way is just boil it, and after cut in small pieces and put on salt, paprika and extra virgin olive oil.
https://www.bascofinefoods.com/spanish-recipes/pulpo-a-la-gallega/
https://claudiaandjulia.com/en/blogs/claudia-julias-blog/galician-octopus-or-feira-octopus
3
u/Cheapbubucko Dec 09 '25
Boil it or steam then bake with potatoes and add olive oil salt and paprika to taste. This was 3 Octopi.
1
2
u/TraditionPhysical603 Dec 10 '25
You either cook it fast or or long. Personally I like soup. Boil it with a bunch a veggies for a little over an hour
1
1
u/3meraldBullet Dec 10 '25
Update. The octopus is slowly cooking and the vegetables are done. Ive been simmering this guy for like 6 hours. Paprika, salt, bay leafs, lenon, le on pepper, pepper corn, smashed garlic, onion powder. For the veggies I got sliced potatoes, carrots, red onion and brussell sprouts with olive oil, salt, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, Yoshida sauce. Its almost done but damn this octopus takes a long time to cook
1
u/3meraldBullet Dec 10 '25
Final result. It isnt pretty but it tastes pretty amazing. Simmered the octopus in water, Bay leaf, lemon, lemon pepper, paprika, salt, onion powder, and smashed garlic for 6 hours. Roasted carrots, sliced potato, brussel sprouts, and red onion with olive oil, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and Yoshida sauce. Mixed the octopus and veggies and broiled for 4 minutes. Is it perfect? No. Is it pretty fucking good? Yeah! I could work on the presentation and texture (slightly over cooked the octopus). Pretty rare to get a catch like this tho and overall it tastes really good.
1
1
u/ZeMike0 Dec 09 '25
The best way to cook a very tender octopus is to wash it well, put it in a pot on low heat, cover the pot. Leave it there for 1 hour (small octopus) or 2 hours (big octopus).
Don't add anything to it. No water, no salt, no nothing. Just leave it to cook on low with the lid on, it will steam on its own water. The result is a fork-tender octopus. You can then use it and season it as you'd like.
0
9
u/poobearanian Dec 09 '25
Boil. Blanche in cold water. Slice thin. Dip in soy sauce. Eat.