Mini octopuses

Mini octopuses or mosquito trees have not been exotic for many seafood lovers for a long time. These miniature octopuses are cephalopods with a soft, oval body and eight rather long tentacles that ring around the animal's mouth. Notably, suckers are present on the entire inner surface of the tentacles of mini octopuses, whereby these molluscs capture their prey or attach easily to underwater corals and rocks.

These inhabitants of the deep sea may probably seem outwardly scary to someone, but mini octopuses are popular among culinary experts almost all over the world. To taste, the slightly sweet meat of mini octopuses resembles squid meat, but it is also softer. Interestingly, mini octopuses, along with their giant counterparts, are the only cephalopods that eat not only the body, but also the tentacles. Moreover, during the preparation process, their meat becomes a pleasant cream color with a pinkish tint.

Regarding the cooking methods of mini octopuses, we can safely say that there are really a lot of them. For example, mini octopuses are often boiled, fried, stewed, baked or marinated. In addition, whole carcasses of clams of larger sizes are stuffed using fish minced meat, various vegetables, as well as cereals and legumes as a filling. Based on boiled mini octopuses, you can make delicious salads and snack dishes, filling for pies and pancakes.

Interestingly, the inhabitants of Japan and China believe that in order for all the useful properties of these mollusks to be fully revealed, they need to be eaten not just raw, but practically alive - when the tentacles cut into pieces still twitch. And in traditional Asian cuisine, mini octopus meat is one of the most sought-after ingredients for sushi. Moreover, other cuisines can boast recipes for mini octopus dishes - in particular, Spanish and Italian.

For example, Portuguese chefs prepare a dish called feijoado, which includes octopus meat stewed with vegetables, burning spices and red beans. In principle, it is worth noting that true connoisseurs of this marine product recommend enjoying its use without using a side dish - this is how you can feel both the gastronomic and useful properties of mini octopuses. And the benefits of these deep-sea mollusks are due to the content of a large amount of protein, valuable mineral salts, vitamins and acids (phosphoric and fatty omega-

3).