Alici marinate
Marinated fresh anchovies
Alici marinate: Campania's fresh anchovies cured in lemon and vinegar with garlic and parsley
Along the Amalfi Coast and in the fish restaurants of Naples, alici marinate are a summer antipasto: very fresh anchovy fillets "cooked" by soaking in lemon juice and vinegar until they turn white, then dressed with olive oil, garlic, parsley and chilli. The fish is not heated, so it is not for pregnant women, young children or anyone with a weakened immune system. To be safe from parasites, freeze the cleaned fillets at −20 °C for at least 96 hours (or buy them already frozen) before marinating; the acid does not kill parasites. For a fully cooked version, poach the fillets in the marinade for 1 minute, until opaque. Chef's tip: marinate in the fridge until the flesh is white all the way through; pink in the middle means it needs longer.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb very fresh anchoviescleaned and filleted, frozen first (see intro)
- 3 lemonsjuiced
- ¾ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cloves garlicthinly sliced
- 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsleychopped
- 1 pinch chilli flakesopt
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Clean 1 ⅛ lb very fresh anchovies by removing the heads and guts, then open each one like a book and pull out the backbone. Rinse and pat dry. Freeze at −68°F for at least 96 hours, then thaw overnight in the fridge.
Step 2: Lay the fillets skin side down in a single layer in a glass or ceramic dish. Mix 3 lemons, ¾ cup white wine vinegar and 1 tsp salt and pour over to cover.
Step 3: Cover and marinate in the fridge for 4–6 hours, until the flesh is white and opaque all through. Common mistake: marinating at room temperature; always use the fridge.
300 minStep 4: Drain the marinade. Arrange the fillets on a plate and scatter with 2 cloves garlic, 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsley and 1 pinch chilli flakes, if using. Drizzle with 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
Step 5: Serve cold. Keep in the fridge and eat within 2 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 2 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does alici marinate take?
- About 30 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of lemons?
- Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).
- What can I use instead of white wine vinegar?
- Cider vinegar or rice vinegar, same amount.
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