Mediterranean Fresh Cured Anchovies

Instructions

1. Hold the fish with one hand and pinch right below the head. Snap it in the direction of the belly and pull down to remove the innards. Rinse it. Flat the fish by running your thumb from the headless end of the belly splitting it down to the tail. Remove the spine and the tail and slice into two fillets. OR you may keep the tail if you want a bigger fillet, the fish slit in two. Rinse the fish thoroughly and leave them to drain in a colander.

2. In a wide bowl or lidded food container (preferably glass) cover the bottom with salt. Lay down a layer of anchovies with the skin side down. Cover them with salt. Lay down another layer and cover with salt. Repeat with the remaining fillets and cover with salt the last layer as well. Cover the bowl with the lid or with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for 5-10 hours. The time depends on the size of the fillets and the saltiness you prefer. If the fillets are firm enough after 5 hours and you don’t want to be too salty, proceed to the next step.

3. Place the fillets in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running cold water. Clean the pot too. Place the fillets in the same cleaned glass bowl and cover the fish with white wine vinegar. Make sure the fillets are fully submerged. Cover the bowl with the lid or with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for 10-12 hours.