Rose's June Shop Watch: Marinated Anchovies

Marinated Anchovies

Forman and Field, Waitrose, Ocado 

What?
Marinated anchovies with garlic

Why?
A different anchovy altogether

Marinated anchovies and preserved anchovies are as different as chalk and cheese. The preserved brown anchovies are salty with a fairly strong taste, which makes them a magical ingredient when added to pasta sauces for a greater depth of flavour. Whereas marinated anchovies are white in colour and have a delicate subtle citrusy flavour. And to appreciate them, they are at their best eaten on their own.

I first tried them in a fish restaurant on the Ligurian coast, where they are called alici, and became hooked. So much so, that I think I ate them every day as an antipasto during my holiday. I asked how they were prepared and was told that they are fresh anchovies, which have their backbone removed and then they are marinated for several hours in lemon juice, which “cooks” them. They are then dressed with olive oil, garlic, parsley and a little chilli.

But fresh anchovies are virtually impossible to get in the UK, so I was delighted to find that Forman and Field make these. I think the name Marinated Anchovies with Garlic is a bit of a misnomer, since it implies it will have a strong garlic flavour, which thankfully is not the case – they are at their delicious subtle best. They have even won a Golden Great Taste Award.

These anchovies, as I said earlier, are perfect to serve on their own as a starter, or as one of the dishes in a mixed antipasto selection. Or you could use them in a Nicoise salad, or criss-cross a red pepper salad with them. Forman and Field even recommend eating them straight from the pack on warm buttered bread!

Conclusion:
An Italian taste of summer

Product Details:
H. Forman & Son Marinated Anchovies with Garlic
200g pack
Forman and Field - £4.95
Waitrose - £4.00
Ocado - £4.00

Contact:
Forman and Field:
Tel.: 0203 601 5464
formanandfield.com

Waitrose Customer Service:
Tel.: 0800 188 884
waitrose.com

Check stock is available before visiting your local store, to avoid a wasted journey.

Ocado Customer Service:
Tel.: 0345 656 1234
ocado.com

Availability and price as at 1st June 2017. 

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