Because they are small, generally 5 to 8 inches long, anchovies are often confused with sardines (Sardinella anchovia).In some areas, the terms anchovy and sardine are used interchangeably. Fresh anchovies are the best choice when you decide between canned and fresh anchovies unless you live in an urban area. In Sweden and Finland, the name anchovies is related strongly to a traditional seasoning, hence the product "anchovies" is normally made of sprats and herring can be sold as "anchovy-spiced". Anchovies also go well with other fish, so experiment with a piquant salsa verde for sea bass or a parsley, mint and anchovy sauce for mackerel. Butter is a great partner for anchovies, not only because it can stand up to their intensity, but because it's easily infused with their flavor. Anchovies Versus Sardines . There are 144 species in 17 genera found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.Anchovies are usually classified as an oily fish. This is how most people buy them, both because they are easier to find and also much easier to handle. Finding fresh anchovies is a challenge for two main reasons: There is not much demand, and anchovies are highly perishable. We love creamy roasted broccoli with anchovies, garlic and chilli; anchovy potato gratin; and … Breaded fried anchovies Italian recipe, a crispy and greedy dish made with cleaned fresh anchovies, battered by dipping in beaten eggs, breaded with homemade breadcrumbs and then fried in plenty of vegetable oil until golden brown on each side. In the city area, it is hard to track down the good fish market where you can buy fresh anchovies. You can simply mix the two for a sandwich spread or create a more nuanced spiced condiment like this British 'gentleman's relish' , which combines butter, anchovies, cinnamon, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg in a food processor. Where to Buy Anchovies . You can even incorporate the high-flavour fish into a side dish. Anchovies are small, common saltwater forage fish in the family Engraulidae that are used as human food and fish bait. Fish from the family Engraulidae are instead known as sardell in Sweden and sardelli in Finland, leading to confusion when translating recipes. If you manage to find fresh anchovies, it will be a great delight for you to cook this fresh small forage fish. They are small, green fish with blue reflections due to a silver longitudinal stripe that runs from the base of the caudal fin. Anchovies are small fish that are boned, cured in salt and packed in oil. It’s a method very much like the one for making chicken cutlets Italian-style.