Fresh anchovies & sardines & smelt

[suetibu]

Hi! Does anybody know where I can buy some of these fresh?

Thanks,
Susan

[eviata]

I just stumbled into this thread while trying to confirm that the little fish I saw in buckets in Chinatown last weekend were indeed fresh anchovies (around $3 / lb). That mystery is still unsolved, but I can confirm one more source of boquerones -- the Italian importers inside Chelsea market sell them prepackaged in various sizes for about $17-18 / lb.

[Almondine]

Zabars has incredible fresh white anchovies flown in from either Spain or Portugal (I forget) that are marinated in olive oil with garlic. They come in vacuum packed containers that are refligerated over by the sliced-to-order salmon. You should call before you go because they only get them in certain days and they go fast. They are terrific as a treat with a drink or as tapas on a slice of a fresh baguette.

[MMRuth]

I love those too - a number of stores (Citarella, Despana, Dean & Deluca) sell them.

[suetibu]

thank you everyone.. I was trying to buy anchovies because we love boquerones and they are always so expensive... whole foods has sardines occasionally and I will look into the other suggestions also.. Thanks a lot.,
S

[Stuffed Monkey]

Fairway often has smelts or sardines. It's the anchovies that are harder to find. I haven't had fresh ones since I ate them in Madrid many years ago.

[kobetobiko]

I saw fresh sardines and smelt at Citarella last week.

Sunrise Mart in EV often has fresh smelt and sardines as well.

[jasmurph]

Sardines will be easy. Most fishmongers will have them, including decent grocery stores. Go with Citarella if you can; their fish is usually the best around, but it ain't cheap.

Smelt must have a season, because it only shows up every so often. I'd ask the fishmonger you end up using.

Anchovies are really hard to find, which is sad because fresh anchovies are so delicious. Boquerones are great, but they're not fresh. I'm excited to hear that they might be available on Arthur Ave. Biondanonima, how sure are you that you saw anchovies?

[biondanonima]

Not 100%, but I vaguely remember seeing "acciughe" on a sign in one of the markets. I would call Randazzo's and confirm before I trekked all the way up there.

[TracyGeo]

I love the Spanish boquerones I buy online from La Tienda. They are on sale right now, so if you're interested, a good chance to save a few bucks.

http://www.tienda.com/food/boquerones...

[biondanonima]

I saw all 3 I believe in the fish markets on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx last weekend. Also the fish markets in Chinatown should have at least some of them.

[MMRuth]

Citarella often has fresh sardines.