Tray of Anchovies and Potatoes

The tray of anchovies and potatoes is a simple and tasty dish, a classic of Italian cuisine. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients

• 500g of fresh anchovies, cleaned and gutted
• 800g of potatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Chopped parsley to taste
• Breadcrumbs
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Begin by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into slices about 4-5 mm thick. Blanche them slightly in salted water for a few minutes to soften.
3. In the meantime, grease the bottom of a baking dish with a drizzle of oil and sprinkle a light layer of breadcrumbs.
4. Arrange a layer of potatoes on the base of the dish, slightly overlapping. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Take the anchovies, open them up like a book along their spine and lay them on the potato base in an even layer.
6. Add some chopped parsley and the garlic cloves cut into not too small pieces, which you will need to remove later.
7. If desired, you can create another layer of potatoes and anchovies, repeating the process.
8. Once complete, sprinkle the surface with more breadcrumbs and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
9. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and crispy on top.

Curiosity

This dish has its roots in Mediterranean culinary tradition, particularly in coastal regions where bluefish, like anchovies, are very common. Anchovies are a versatile ingredient, excellent for consumption, whether fresh or preserved in salt or oil. Plus, they’re an excellent source of Omega-3s, beneficial for the cardiovascular system.

The dish can be customized with additional herbs or by adding Taggiasca olives for an even more intense Mediterranean taste. Pair it with a good glass of fresh white wine.