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Main course Fish & Seafood

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Nutritional Values

πŸ”₯400kcal
πŸ’ͺ30gProtein
🌾35gCarbs
πŸ₯‘15gFat
🌿4gFibre
βš–οΈ350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish

Venetian-Style Octopus

How to order / say it
Say it Polpo alla Veneziana β€” [POHL-poh ah-lah veh-neh-tzee-AH-nah]
Order I'd like the Venetian-style octopus, please.
Locally Vorrei il polpo alla veneziana, per favore.
Say locally

Tender octopus served with potatoes, seasoned with lemon.

Why try it?

This dish highlights Venice’s mastery of seafood preparation, with octopus being a versatile and cherished ingredient in lagoon cuisine.

How it tastes

The octopus is cooked to a tender perfection, offering subtle oceanic flavors, accented with lemon's brightness and the comforting earthiness of potatoes.

Origin & History β€” first documented: 1700

Venetian-Style Octopus stems from Venice's proximity to the sea, where octopus has been a seafood staple for centuries, traditionally prepared for special family meals in the 1700s.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🦐 600 g octopus
  • πŸ₯• 300 g potatoes
  • πŸ‹ 1 whole lemon
  • πŸ«’ 50 ml olive oil
  • 🌿 10 g parsley
  • πŸ§„ 5 g garlic

Method

  1. 1 Boil octopus until tender, set aside.
  2. 2 Boil potatoes until soft, peel and cube.
  3. 3 Mix octopus and potatoes, drizzling with lemon juice and olive oil.
  4. 4 Garnish with chopped parsley and minced garlic before serving.

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