Croatian Marinated Anchovies with Garlic and Parsley
Dive into the heart of Croatian cuisine with this simple yet exquisite appetizer, featuring fresh anchovies marinated in a blend of garlic, parsley, and olive oil. It's a perfect embodiment of the Mediterranean diet, marrying health with flavor.
Equipment
- Shallow dish
- Whisk
- Small bowl
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh anchovies, cleaned and heads removed
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- Lemon slices and parsley sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the anchovies. If not already done, clean the anchovies by removing the heads, innards, and backbones. Rinse them under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Lay the anchovies side by side in a shallow dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, sea salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the marinade over the anchovies, ensuring each fish is well coated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and the acid from the lemon juice to 'cook' the fish slightly.
- Serve the marinated anchovies chilled, garnished with additional lemon slices and parsley sprigs.
Notes
For a truly authentic Croatian experience, serve these anchovies with a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful marinade.
If fresh anchovies are unavailable, high-quality canned ones can be used—just skip the 'cleaning' step.
The acid from the lemon juice does not fully 'cook' the fish, so ensure you are using fresh, high-quality anchovies suitable for marinating.