Spaghetti tossed with plenty of tomato sauce infused with tender octopus, zucchini, and garlic. The sauce absorbs the savory essence of the octopus for a delicious, umami-rich dish.
Adapted from a video by Cooking with Dog
Octopus Tomato Spaghetti Recipe (Savory Sauce and Octopus Pasta with Zucchini)
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1
Prepare the boiled octopus and cut the tentacles in half. Make shallow cuts at 3mm intervals, then slice along the cuts to create a textured surface and more tender texture.
2
Place the octopus in a tray, pour sake over it, and toss to combine. (Omit if sake is unavailable.)
3
Cut the tomato into 2cm thick slices. Cut the zucchini into 5mm thick half-moons.
4
Heat salted water (0.7–1% salt) in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for about 1 minute until just al dente.
5
Heat a frying pan, add olive oil, then add the zucchini. Sauté until golden on both sides.
6
Reduce heat to low, add the chopped garlic and dried chili pepper. Stir until fragrant.
7
Add the tomato slices. Since tomatoes release a lot of moisture, continue cooking to reduce the liquid slightly. Season with a pinch of salt.
8
Check the pasta for doneness. When the pasta is nearly cooked through, add the octopus to the pan.
9
Add the soy sauce and butter. Gently toss to combine and reduce heat to low.
10
Transfer the spaghetti to a serving plate. Use tongs to pick up the pasta and ingredients together and place on the plate.
11
Finish by sprinkling coarsely ground black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley on top.