Tostadas of Octopus in Escabeche

Servings: 6  

INGREDIENTS

  • For the Escabeche
  • Salt
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2-3 güero chiles (aka hot or mild banana peppers), stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¼ inch strips
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • A scant 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 3/4 inch stick Mexican Canela
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Salt
  • For the Octopus
  • 4 pounds tenderized baby octopus, head removed and tentacles trimmed 1/2-inch from the bottom
  • Olive oil
  • A few sprigs parsley leaves for garnish
  • Store-bought tostadas for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

Light a gas grill, setting the temperature to high on the main burners; or light a charcoal fire, letting the coals burn until they’re covered with gray ash and quite hot.

Set a large (8-inch) sauce pan over medium high heat. Film with 1/3 cup olive oil and add the carrots, onions and chile and cook until golden brown and nearly tender, about 6 minutes. Add the spices, bay leaves, canela, chicken stock, vinegar and salt, usually about 1 ½ teaspoons. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon and allow to cool to room temperature.

Pat the octopus dry, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Grill over direct heat, uncovered and sucker-side down for about 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cover the grill and cook another 4 minutes. Remove octopus from the grill and allow to cool.

Cut the octopus into 1-inch pieces and add to the escabeche. Garnish the mixture with parsley and scoop onto tostadas.