Cantabrian anchovies | 100 fillets

Olasagasti’s plump, punchy tinned anchovies are caught in spring, when in peak condition, in an area of the Cantabrian Sea that is MSC certified. They arrive fresh at the Basque-based cannery, and this marks the start of the careful preparation process. Century-old artisanal methods brought over from Sicily by Olasagasti’s founder Salvatore Orlando are followed to the letter as the anchovies are matured for close to a year to achieve the optimum taste.

Recipe tip: lattice over a large pissaladiėre, the caramelised onion, anchovy and black olive tart, melt into sauces, or make anchovy-topped canapés for a crowd.

Store anchovies between 1-8°C. Keeping them in the fridge maintains their taste and texture for the shelf life specified on the tin. Anchovies can be stored on a cool, dark shelf, but ideally keep them in a fridge if you want to preserve them in their optimal condition for longer. Anchovies are only semi-preserved. This means that a harmless bacteria remains in the tin after it is sealed. This bacteria is kept at bay by the cold but in warmer temperatures it eventually softens the texture of the anchovies, interferes with their flavour and may cause the tin to swell a little. Remove the anchovies from the fridge 20 minutes before you are ready to use them to give the olive oil chance to liquefy again. After the tin is opened, anchovies must be stored in a fridge and consumed within 7 days.