How to tenderize octopus before cooking it

[kosta_karapinotis]

Before you cook your octopus, it's a really good idea to tenderize it so that it doesn't get very chewy. The first step is to wash your octopus with cold water and a little bit of vinegar. Next, you need to either beat it with a large spoon or something heavy, or slap it against your countertop. This can get a little bit messy, so you can either put the octopus in a ziploc bag, or wrap it in cellophane. When you're cooking the octopus, make sure not to overcook it, or else you will have tenderized it for nothing.

 

[k_tsoukalas]

I love octopus, I have always wondered how different people make it. You didn't mention removing the beak in the center - is this normally done before it gets brought home, so the cook doesn't need to do it?

 

[Lenio]

I love octopus, I have always wondered how different people make it. You didn't mention removing the beak in the center - is this normally done before it gets brought home, so the cook doesn't need to do it?

It depends where you get it. If you buy it in the US it's completely clean.