Anchovies: What to know, when & where to get it
Northern Anchovies
(Engraulis mordax)
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(YEAR ROUND)
Anchovies add a rich, unique flavor to many classic recipes. These fish are building their modern-day reputation as a sustainable, nutrient-rich, and tasty seafood option.
Northern Anchovies, which are fished on the US Pacific Coast, have a blue-green coloring with a silvery underbelly. The small body has an overhanging snout and a relatively large mouth. They grow up to 7 inches long and usually live for just a few years. These fish are an important part of the food chain as a go-to food source for many other fish, birds, and marine mammals.
This fishery became more popular in the mid-20th century in Monterey, as the availability of sardines fluctuated. Today, it is the #1 catch by volume in Monterey Bay! Anchovies are commonly available canned and salted. They provide a unique flavor in many dishes, including as a sometimes-hidden ingredient in popular dressings and sauces. As fresh fish, anchovies have a milder flavor and are excellent fried or roasted whole.
This fishery has an especially low carbon footprint because it’s possible to catch large schools of fish at once in a single trip. Anchovy populations are monitored by NOAA and are currently identified as plentiful and readily available. They are fished near the ocean’s surface using purse seines, limiting any impact on ocean floor habitats.
Photo from Monterey Bay Aquarium
Buying Tips
Ask for local anchovies from your fishmonger or community supported fishery (CSF) — fresh, frozen, or in the can.
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Be adventurous, and try a new preparation!
Seafood illustration courtesy of NOAA Fisheries
Recipes
Caesar Dressing with Anchovy
(Food 52)
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Crispy Fried Anchovies
(Fulton Fish Market)
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Pizza with Anchovies, Red Onion, and Oregano
(Martha Stewart)
Where & When to Find Anchovies
This fishery is open year-round in Central and Northern California, with the peak season during the summer months.
You can buy this fish directly from local restaurants, grocery stores, and fish markets — check out our Local Catch page for more information, or check out our recipes page for tips on how to store, prepare, and cook this and other seafood.
Want a fun calendar to remind you of what is in season here in Monterey Bay? Download + print our seafood seasonality guide (downloadable pdf).