Octopus and Bone Marrow Tacos

Ingredients

• 1 Whole octopus (cleaned, beak removed)
• 3 Chipotle peppers (for the marinade)
• 3 Puya chiles (for the marinade)
• 3 Pasilla chiles (for the marinade)
• 3 Garlic cloves (for the marinade)
• 0.33 White onion (for the marinade)
• 4 tbsp Butter (plenty of butter for the marinade)
• 0.5 tbsp Dried oregano (for the marinade)
• Salt (to taste)
• 4 Beef bone marrow (cut lengthwise)
• 5 Tomatillos (for the green salsa)
• 2 Serrano peppers (for the green salsa)
• 0.2 White onion (for the green salsa)
• 2 Garlic cloves (for the green salsa)
• 1 puño Fresh cilantro (for the green salsa)
• 2 Limes (the juice, for the green salsa)
• 1 cup Refried beans (prepared with lard)
• 8 Corn tortillas (or tostadas as preferred)

Steps

1. 1

   Clean the octopus by removing the beak. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

2. 2

   "Scare" the octopus by dipping it in and out of the boiling water three times in a row so the tentacles curl up.

3. 3

   Once the water boils again, cook the octopus for 45 minutes or until a fork enters easily.

4. 4

   Remove the octopus head and make cuts along the tentacles to separate them.

5. 5

   For the marinade, grind the pasilla, puya, and chipotle peppers along with 3 garlic cloves, 1/3 onion, butter, salt, and oregano until a smooth paste is formed.

6. 6

   Generously coat the octopus tentacles with the prepared marinade.

7. 7

   Grill the octopus tentacles over the coals until they are well-browned and crispy on the outside.

8. 8

   Place the bone marrow on the grill and cook until the center is soft and bubbling.

9. 9

   Prepare the raw green salsa by blending the tomatillos, serrano peppers, 1/5 onion, 2 garlic cloves, the handful of cilantro, the juice of 2 limes, and salt to taste.

10. 10

    Cut the octopus tentacles into bite-sized pieces.

11. 11

    To assemble the taco, spread a warm tortilla with refried beans prepared with lard.

12. 12

    Place the grilled octopus pieces on top.

13. 13

    Pour the hot bone marrow over the octopus.

14. 14

    Finish with the raw green salsa and serve immediately.

Notes

The author recommends pairing these tacos with a Modelo Ámbar beer. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can use tostadas instead of tortillas.

Nutrition per serving

• tacos
• octopus
• bone marrow
• grilled
• grill
• seafood
• mexican
• main course