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4.9 from 240 votes

Greek Sweet Peas with Octopus (Arakas Laderos)

Seafood with legumes, is there a better combination? Certainly not! This is delicious recipe of soft octopus combined with nutritious peas that results a dish full of aromas. Try it out!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

For the octopus:
  • 1.5 kg octopus
  • 100 ml Greek extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot cut into thin vertical slices
  • 1 fennel cut into thin vertical slices
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • ½ tbsp peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 sprigs thyme
For the peas:
  • 1 kg sweet peas
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 100 g carrots finely chopped
  • 800 g celery finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 100 ml red wine
  • 400 g grated tomato
  • 100 ml water
  • salt
  • pepper
To serve:
  • Dill

Instructions

For the octopus:
    Cup of Yum
  1. At the bottom of a wide pot, spread the onion, carrot and fennel. Add the balsamic vinegar, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme and set aside.
  2. Pierce the circumference of the octopus tooth with a straight knife and remove it.
  3. Cut the head of the octopus and cut it in four pieces. Divide the tentacles and place them over the vegetables.
  4. Sprinkle with a little olive oil, cover the pot with aluminum foil and simmer the octopus over low heat for 1 1/2 hour, until it softens. When ready, remove from heat and set aside.
For the peas:
  1. While the octopus is being cooked, we can start cooking the peas as well. Place a large pot over medium to high heat and let it heat well. Then add a little olive oil, onion, carrot, celery and sauté until caramelized.
  2. Once the vegetables are caramelized, add the tomato paste, sauté for 2-3 minutes and add wine. Let the alcohol evaporate, add the peas, tomato, water, salt and pepper and mix.
  3. Cover the pot with the lid and let the food boil for 20-25 minutes.
  4. After 25 minutes, transfer to a baking dish, add the octopus and cook in a preheated oven at 180°C (360 °F) for 10 to 15 minutes.
  5. When ready, serve the peas with octopus, sprinkling with some dill.

Notes