Culture

Pulpoala Parilla

Richard Sandoval|

Pulpoala Parilla
4 (1 ratings)
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If you haven't thought about serving octopus before, here's your chance to do so. Using a smaller octopus means more tender results in less time, so forget all the chewy renditions you've had before; this elegant appetizer is sure to impress.
Servings
2
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup soy oil
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 -5 medium-sized cactus paddles
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped finely
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped finely
  • 1/2 pound queso fresco, diced finely
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup sherry vinegar
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted
  • 4 quarts water
  • 3 tablespoon pickling spice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chile flakes
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1 pound spanish or portuguese octopus
  • vegetable oil, for grilling
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
  1. In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients and set aside.
  2. Be careful cleaning the cactus since some of the thorns are very little. Grab them with a towel and clean with a knife, going against the thorns. Cut around the edges of the cactus to make sure there are no thorns left. Discard the first ½-inch of the bottom, since this part is too thick and flavorless.
  3. Bring salted water to a boil in a saucepot over high heat. Add the cactus and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain in a colander set over a bowl for about 1 hour to allow some of the excess liquid to drain out.
  4. Dice the cactus and combine with the onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and queso fresco. Toss well with the lemon-oregano vinaigrette and season with salt, to taste.
  5. Cook the sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it becomes caramel, stirring constantly. Add the sherry and stir to make syrup, then add the black olives and let them simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender, process, and strain. Set aside.
  6. In a large pot, combine the water, pickling spice, salt, chile flakes, and lemon, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then, add the octopus and cook for 1 hour. Remove from the water and let cool. Discard the head and then slice the tentacles into thirds (about 2 ½ inch pieces), then slice in half.
  7. Preheat a grill to 400 degrees. Brush the octopus with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place the octopus on the grill and quickly grill for 1 minute on each side.
  8. Serve the octopus on top of the cactus salad. Drizzle the black olive caramel on top.
 
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