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Polpo alla luciana
Octopus in tomato sauce
Polpo alla luciana: Naples's octopus braised in its own juices with tomato, olives and capers
Polpo alla luciana takes its name from the fishermen of the Borgo Santa Lucia, the old seafront district of Naples. They cooked octopus slowly in a covered terracotta pot with tomato, garlic, olives and capers, and with no water added, so the octopus braised in its own juices and turned tender. It is still served in Neapolitan trattorie as a second course or an antipasto, always with bread for the sauce. Chef's tip: keep the lid tightly on, putting a sheet of baking paper under it if it doesn't fit well; the trapped steam is what makes the octopus soft.
- Total time
- 85 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ lb whole octopuscleaned (frozen and thawed is fine)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlicsliced
- 1 pinch chilli flakes
- 2 ⅛ oz black Gaeta olives
- 1 tbsp capersrinsed
- 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsleychopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Rinse 2 ¼ lb whole octopus. Heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a heavy pan with 2 cloves garlic and 1 pinch chilli flakes for 1 minute.
1 minStep 2: Add 14 oz cherry tomatoes or tinned chopped tomatoes, 2 ⅛ oz black Gaeta olives and 1 tbsp capers, then lay the octopus on top. Cover tightly and cook over a very low heat for 50–60 minutes, until a fork slides easily into the thickest part of a tentacle. Common mistake: lifting the lid often; the steam escapes and the octopus toughens.
60 minStep 3: Turn off the heat and leave it covered for 10 minutes more.
10 minStep 4: Cut the octopus into pieces, return it to the sauce and stir in 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsley. Serve warm with bread.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 33 g
- Carbs
- 8 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does polpo alla luciana take?
- About 85 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 70 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of cherry tomatoes or tinned chopped tomatoes?
- Fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped: about 6 per 400g tin (cook a little longer).
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