Octopus and Melon Salad
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 45 min
- Serving: 4
PRESENTATION
Octopus and melon salad is a summertime favorite in the Italian Mediterranean. Really hard to resist. The blend of sea and sweetness is just awesome. This seafood salad brings together tender octopus—perfectly boiled—and cool chunks of sweet cantaloupe. Or, as it’s called in Italy, melone retato.
Plus, there's crunch! Celery slices and peppery radishes do the trick, while a handful of songino adds a fresh, green touch—seriously good. Everything stays chilled, giving you a crisp and refreshing bite that’s ideal for those hot days. And you know, in regions like Liguria, people love adding citrus or tossing in fennel and orange for that deliciously Mediterranean twist.
Every family has its own spin on this summer salad. Sometimes it’s an antipasto, setting the stage for an outdoor meal, or it could be the main dish for lunch when you want something light. Thing is, the key to this dish’s success is its simplicity. And how easy it is to prep ahead. Really, you just cook the octopus early, keep it cool in the fridge, and mix it with everything else right before serving. Flavors stay sharp, and the juicy melon retains its coolness. So so good.
The mix of tender octopus, crunchy veggies, and sweet fruit is what makes this a classic healthy salad recipe. Some versions toss in parsley or drizzle citrus dressing to enhance flavors, staying true to Italian traditions where seafood always pairs with freshness. For anyone looking for protein-rich salads that are both tasty and satisfying, this light summer meal is a no-brainer whenever the sun is shining. It’s a dish that truly captures the spirit of Mediterranean cuisine, bringing together fresh ingredients and bright flavors in a way that’s both easy and elegant. Really, can't go wrong.
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INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for the octopus
- Melon 1 - small
- Octopus 1.7 lbs (750 g)
- Carrots 1
- Celery 2 ribs
- Coarse salt to taste
- For the salad
- Celery 2 ribs
- Lamb's lettuce 6.7 cups (200 g)
- Fine salt to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Red pepper to taste
- Radishes 20
How to prepare Octopus and Melon Salad
To prepare the octopus and melon salad, cut the carrot into large pieces 1 and do the same with the celery 2. Fill a pot with water, add the carrot, the celery and a pinch of coarse salt 3, then bring to a boil.
Dip the octopus into the boiling water several times to curl the tentacles 4. Then leave it completely submerged 5 and cook it for about 45 minutes with a lid on. At the end of cooking, drain it and let it cool slightly. In the meantime, remove the outer fibers of the celery with a vegetable peeler, then cut it into thin strips 6.
Cut the melon in half 7, remove the segments 8 and discard the seeds 9.
Also remove the rind 10, then very thinly slice the flesh with a mandoline 11. Thinly slice the radishes as well 12.
When the octopus is warm, remove the eyes and cut it into pieces, dividing the tentacles into chunks and the head into regular pieces 14. Arrange the salad by placing the lamb's lettuce (mâche) on the bottom of the plate 15.
Add the melon slices 16, the celery strips 17 and the octopus 18.
Add the radishes as well. Season with salt 19, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil 20 and finish with some pink peppercorns 20. The octopus and melon salad is ready to be served 21.