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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Marinated anchovies arranged on a Sicilian ceramic plate

Marinated Anchovies: A Taste of Sicilian Sea Breeze

Fresh, zesty and irresistibly simple — these Sicilian marinated anchovies bring the flavours of the Mediterranean straight to your table.

⏱️
Prep Time
45 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
no cooking
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Easy
💰 Low
🗓️ Summer
4.8/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 500 g fresh anchovies
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 red hot chilli
  • 200 ml fresh lemon juice
  • A handful of parsley
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
190 kcal
Protein
22 g
Fat
10 g
Carbohydrates
0 g
Sodium
250 mg

Few dishes evoke the spirit of a Sicilian summer as effortlessly as marinated anchovies. With nothing more than good fresh fish, sharp lemon juice and fragrant herbs, you can create an antipasto that tastes like the sea breeze itself — bright, clean and utterly refreshing.

This is the kind of dish enjoyed on sun-washed terraces overlooking the coast, served with a chill of sea air and a glass of crisp white wine. Yet it’s just as welcome on a relaxed table at home, whether for a light lunch or a summery dinner with friends.

Simple ingredients, minimal effort, pure Mediterranean soul: these marinated anchovies are Sicilian cooking at its most honest and elegant.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Clean the anchovies by removing the head, spine and innards, then open them flat and rinse thoroughly under cold running water.

  2. 2

    Pat dry carefully and arrange in a deep dish, cut-side facing up.

  3. 3

    Cover completely with lemon juice and refrigerate for 24 hours, covered with cling film.

  4. 4

    Drain well and transfer to a serving plate, ideally a hand-painted Sicilian ceramic dish.

  5. 5

    Dress with extra-virgin olive oil, chopped parsley, chilli flakes, thin slices of garlic and a small pinch of salt.

  6. 6

    Leave to marinate for at least 1 hour before serving.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a citrus twist, replace part of the lemon juice with fresh orange juice. Prefer something sharper? Add a splash of white wine vinegar. These anchovies are wonderful paired with thin slices of crisp fennel for a refreshing contrast.

📦 Storage

  • Store in the fridge, well covered, for up to 2 days.
  • Avoid freezing to preserve texture.
  • Use a glass airtight container to maintain flavour.
  • Always serve well chilled.
  • Do not leave at room temperature for more than 30 minutes.

🍷 Pairing

Enjoy with a glass of Santa Margherita di Belice Ansonica — a dry, fruity Sicilian white that enhances the anchovies’ fresh, lemony brightness.

Now that you’ve mastered Sicilian marinated anchovies, you can bring a little taste of the Mediterranean to any occasion. Light, aromatic and wonderfully summery, they’re the perfect antipasto for anyone who dreams of the sea and loves simple, honest cooking.

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