Octopus in Tomato Sauce

Enjoy this traditional octopus in tomato sauce from Malta. It makes a flavorful sauce for octopus with potatoes, tomatoes, red wine, and a hint of citrus.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 499 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 (8 ounce) can peas, drained
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 10 whole pitted ripe olives
• 0.5 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 0.5 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1.5 pounds octopus

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place octopus in a large pot filled with enough lightly salted water to cover; bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat until opaque, about 15 minutes. Drain. Cool slightly; cut into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, mint leaves, curry powder and mixed spice; cook and stir until onion is soft. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir in octopus, wine, lemon zest and orange zest; simmer 3 to 4 minutes to blend flavors, then stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, potatoes, peas, olives, bay leaves, and sugar. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer until octopus and potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes.