Salada de Polvo
Salada de Polvo is a Portuguese octopus salad served chilled, with tender cooked octopus tossed alongside crisp vegetables and dressed simply with olive oil and vinegar. The dressing keeps things bright and clean, letting the octopus remain the focus. It comes together quickly once the octopus is cooked and cooled, and works well as a light main or a shareable starter.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound octopus cleaned
- 1 piece bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup parsley chopped fresh
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a bay leaf, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add the octopus and cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. The octopus should feel pliable when pressed with a fork.
- While the octopus is cooking, prepare the salad ingredients. Thinly slice the red onion and halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the fresh parsley finely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil and red wine vinegar until emulsified. Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drain the cooked octopus and rinse briefly under cold water. Cut into bite-sized pieces and add to the mixing bowl with the dressing.
- Gently toss the octopus with onion, cherry tomatoes, and parsley. Ensure it is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve immediately, or let the salad marinate in the fridge for up to an hour to deepen the flavors.
Notes
- For a slightly different flavor profile, try adding a small pinch of smoked paprika to the dressing.
- If octopus is not available, substitute with tender calamari for a similar texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 17gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 266mgPotassium: 489mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 579IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 6mg
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