Anchovy Pie

I can help you with the recipe for the anchovy pie, a simple yet delicious dish from the Italian culinary tradition. Anchovies are small fish typical of the Mediterranean and are very appreciated in Italian cuisine for their intense flavor and versatility.

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh anchovies
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Breadcrumbs as needed
• Chopped fresh parsley as needed
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt as needed
• Pepper as needed
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Pitted Taggiasche or black olives (optional)

Preparation

1. Clean the anchovies by removing the head, guts, and central bone, then rinse them under running water and let them drain.
2. In a baking dish, create a bed of breadcrumbs mixed with chopped parsley and very thinly sliced garlic cloves. Season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
3. Arrange a layer of anchovies opened out flat, slightly overlapping the tails.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. If desired, sprinkle another layer of breadcrumbs flavored with parsley and garlic, and add some olives.
6. Proceed with the layering: another layer of anchovies, more salt, pepper, and the breadcrumb mix until the dish is filled.
7. Complete with a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if you like, a few drops of lemon juice.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and crispy.

Depending on local traditions and personal tastes, you might find variations that include the addition of cherry tomatoes, capers, or other typical Mediterranean flavors.

Curiosity

The anchovy pie is a very popular dish along the Italian coasts, especially in Liguria and the Amalfi Coast, where the local catch guarantees fresh, high-quality anchovies. Traditionally, this dish was prepared by fishermen with the anchovies that were less sellable at the market, demonstrating that in Italian cuisine, nothing goes to waste.