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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Seasoned salted anchovies with parsley and chilli on a Sicilian ceramic plate

Seasoned Salted Anchovies: Pure Sicilian Sea Flavour

A simple, flavour-packed Sicilian antipasto made with salted anchovies, olive oil, chilli and parsley — perfect with a chilled glass of white wine.

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

🛒 Ingredients

  • 300 g salted anchovies
  • A handful of parsley
  • 1 red hot chilli
  • Extra-virgin olive oil

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
180 kcal
Protein
21 g
Fat
9 g
Carbohydrates
0 g
Sodium
800 mg

If you’re looking for an antipasto that delivers bold flavour with barely any effort, seasoned salted anchovies are hard to beat. This is traditional Sicilian coastal cooking at its most essential: a few ingredients, big character, and the unmistakable taste of the Mediterranean.

The anchovies — preserved under salt in the classic way — are gently cleaned and dressed with good olive oil, fresh parsley and a touch of chilli for heat. The result is a punchy, aromatic starter that works beautifully on warm summer evenings, preferably with a cold glass of crisp white wine.

Simple, quick and deeply authentic, this dish captures everything we love about Sicilian seaside food.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Gently scrape the anchovies with a knife to remove excess salt.

  2. 2

    Open them in half, remove the central bone and rinse briefly under cold running water.

  3. 3

    Pat dry with kitchen paper and arrange on a serving plate.

  4. 4

    Finely chop the parsley and chilli, then sprinkle generously over the anchovies.

  5. 5

    Drizzle with plenty of extra-virgin olive oil and leave to rest for at least 1 hour before serving.

💡 Tips and Variations

Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of oregano for extra freshness. For a gourmet twist, mix in finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes or rinsed capers.

📦 Storage

  • Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Use a glass airtight container or cover tightly with cling film.
  • Serve chilled, letting them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.
  • Do not freeze, as the texture will deteriorate.
  • Drizzle with a fresh splash of olive oil before serving again.

🍷 Pairing

Enjoy with a glass of Contea di Sclafani Chardonnay — a dry, aromatic Sicilian white wine that pairs beautifully with the anchovies’ briny richness.

Seasoned salted anchovies are the essence of Sicilian simplicity: bold flavours, minimal ingredients and total authenticity. Whether served as a summery starter or a rustic snack alongside good wine, they bring the true taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

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