Anchovies are such wonderful and nutritious foods. They come in tins and sometimes there may be some leftovers.
You do not want to throw away these nutritious bits. After all, food waste is not advisable. Then what can one do with these leftover anchovies? One can use it in an ample number of great ways!
Leftover Anchovies
Anchovies come in tins or cans of oil. They are so savory, and nutritious, with an umami flavor. After opening the tin and using them there are some leftovers.
You do not feel like throwing them away. You want to avoid food waste and use it in the best way. Do not worry. You can use this small fish with a big flavor in extremely useful ways.
Storing the leftovers
Leftover anchovies (Source: The Guardian)An unopened can of anchovy fish can remain for a year at room temperature. It has a long shelf-life. After opening the tin, one can keep it for two months in the refrigerator.
It should be submerged in oil and put in an airtight container. In case the oil in the tin is insufficient to submerge the fish, top it with some extra olive oil so that they do not spoil with exposure.
Additionally, it is best to transfer the leftover into another non-metallic container so that the metallic taste does not enter the fish and spoil its umami flavor.
Addition to pasta
The leftover anchovies can convert the boring pasta into a restaurant-style dinner that one would love to indulge in.
Add anchovies leftovers and olives in a pan and to this add tomato sauce and other ingredients that you would like to be part of this pasta dinner such as spices, garlic, oregano, vegetables, salt, etc.
Mix them on a flame and add the cooked pasta. Mix the whole combination to get the savory pasta dish. The leftover makes the pasta dish so delicious that you would be left licking your fingers and asking for more.
Anchovy pasta (Source: Sweet caramel Sunday)Blend it into a wonderful dressing
The anchovies that are left over can be mixed with softened butter, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, herbs, and spices. Blend this to make a paste that could serve as a dressing on a lot of things.
Whether it is a plant-based food or a meaty food, smear this paste onto them to give it that wonderful and irresistible taste.
Convert them into finger foods on a skewer
Anchovy dressing (Source: Food)Yes, though eating plain anchovies sound a bit not good, you can increase its appetite value by skewing it.
The other foods you can add in between on the skewer would include spicy and pickled peppers of different colors and salty or briny olives. It needs to least effort and can be made easily. It can serve as an appetizer or starter food.
Read more: What are blue foods? Their health and planet benefit!
One can be creative in this and dish out their recipes to make the best use of the leftover anchovies. Do not let the nutrition go waste and down the bin.