The subtle sweetness of the octopus mingles perfectly with the earthy character of the potatoes, all tied together with the classic Italian trinity: lemon, garlic, and parsley.
Thaw the frozen octopus completely, then rinse quickly under cold running water. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of water and 1 heaped tablespoon of salt to a boil.
When the water is boiling, dip the octopus tentacles in the water 3 times, then fully submerge.
Bring back to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 25-45 minutes or until tender when pierced in the thickest part with a fork.
Once the octopus is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool in its cooking liquid. Turn it over from time to time.
When cool, drain the octopus and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces, cutting off and discarding any loose skin. Add the octopus pieces to the potatoes.
In the meantime, cook the potatoes. Wash the potatoes well and place them in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add 1 heaped tablespoon of salt.
Bring the water to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Drain the potatoes and peel them. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl with the sliced red onion.
Pour the dressing over the octopus and potatoes. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, chopped parsley, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside until needed.
Notes
Whole large octopus or just tentacles are fine for this dish. Freezing octopus helps tenderize it. If you have purchased fresh octopus, freeze it before using. Whole octopus will need to be cleaned, while tentacles just need a rinse. You can ask your fishmonger for cleaned octopus.
Tips for Success
Dip the octopus tentacles in boiling water a few times, then lift them out. Repeat 3-4 times.
Simmer the octopus on low heat, not a vigorous boil.
Pierce the thickest part with a fork. If it enters easily, the octopus is cooked. Otherwise, simmer a bit longer.
Let the octopus cool for 5 minutes in the cooking liquid. Then, remove and cool completely. Any gelatinous parts can be removed.
Add more garlic to the dressing if you prefer a garlicky flavor.
Dress the salad with lemon juice to your desired level of tang. You can adjust further at the table.
Add capers, olives, or chopped pickled vegetables for a delicious variation.
Prepare the salad in advance and marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally up to 2 hours, for the best flavor.