White Anchovies in Vinegar

In fact, Boquerones are the same species of fish as anchovies, but they are prepared differently. The 'fish' used to make these preserved Boquerones in Vinegar is the Engraulis Encrasicholus species, caught in the waters of the Bay of Biscay.

The Cantabrian Boquerón is characterised by its pleasant smell and flavour, and its fillets have a creamy-white colour. It is a small fish that can live for around three or four years and reach a size of close to 20 cm. It has a shiny, silvery belly and a greyish-blue back.

Cantabrian Boquerones are a great source of Vitamins A, B and D, as well as proteins and minerals (iron, phosphorus, iodine, calcium and magnesium). Ideal for everyone.

In addition, Cantabrian Boquerones are rich in Omega 3, which is recommended for heart health, reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, regulating blood pressure, and preventing degenerative diseases. Furthermore, Omega 3 fatty acids are also considered powerful anti-inflammatories.

At Conservas Serrats we only use the highest quality Boquerones, the Engraulis Encrasicholus. These are fished in the Bay of Biscay at the optimal time, between the months of April and June, using the purse seine technique.

Although Cantabrian Boquerones live at depths of more than 100 metres, in spring and summer they rise to the surface to reproduce, allowing them to be caught. It is at this time that the fat content of the Boquerones increases, as does their flavour.

As you know, our 'Cantabrian Boquerones in vinaigrette' and our 'Cantabrian Anchovy Fillets in olive oil' are the same fish, the Engraulis Encrasicholus. The difference lies in the subsequent preparation process.

In the early morning, we buy the freshest Boquerones at the fish market and quickly take them to our factory in Bermeo, where we immediately begin the preparation process. The first thing we do is gut them, and remove the head and spine, and we wash them in iced water to remove any remaining impurities and to keep them cold. When the boquerón fillets are perfectly clean, they are placed in vinegar with salt until they take on their characteristic white colour. This takes a minimum of 12-18 hours, depending on the size of the boquerón. Next, they are frozen for a minimum of 24 hours at -18 degrees. Finally, after freezing (to eliminate any parasites), the preparation process is completed.

In our case, we pack the Cantabrian Boquerones, covering them with our classic, artisan vinaigrette.

This whole process results in white fillets with a soft texture and just the right degree of firmness.

As they are a semi-preserved product, our anchovies continue to mature inside the tin and require specific cool conditions for optimal storage. We recommend storing the tins in a cool place, such as the fridge, between 5°C and 12°C, to prevent the product from over-maturing.

For this same reason, they should be consumed within approximately 3 months.

We advise taking the tins out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving. This way, we ensure that the vinegar and the temperature of the anchovies are just right.

If you open a tin of anchovies and do not finish it, which is unlikely, we recommend storing it in the fridge for a maximum of 24 hours so they do not lose their properties. They can be stored covered in their own vinaigrette or in olive oil.

Anchovies in vinegar are delicious on their own, but they also work well in a whole host of recipes such as gildas, salads, tostas, simple or sophisticated pintxos, tartares… If you want to find new and original recipes, be sure to visit our blog, “La cocina de Serrats”, where we have collected hundreds of recipes with anchovies in vinegar, sent to us by lovers of Serrats and fine food.

If you, like us, believe it's always a good idea to have a few tins of Cantabrian anchovies in the fridge, you are in the right place: our online shop for gourmet preserved fish. Buy the best anchovies in vinegar quickly and securely. Excellent quality, with authentic flavours that uphold the history and tradition of five generations. 100% natural, artisan preserves. Try our anchovies in vinegar, and if you're not convinced, we'll give you your money back!