Meat, Pâté or Seafood 2008

Outstanding Meat, Pâté or Seafood 2008: The Cheeseworks Ortiz Conservas Boquerones Marinated White Anchovies

Ortiz Conservas Boquerones Marinated White Anchovies come from a long tradition of excellence sustained by five generations of Bernardo Ortiz de Zarate’s family members, who produce this year’s award-winning seafood in the Basque region of Spain. Each generation maintains and improves upon the artisan production methods of cultivating local fish—and their time-honored traditions show in the high-quality of these delicate, flavorful white anchovies.

Ortiz Conservas is committed to preserving the marine life in the Cantabrian Sea. The anchovies are still caught by local fishermen who use nets to gather them, preventing the fish from being bruised or harmed. Ortiz Conservas maintains historic fishing methods and ensures that the curing times of the fish are respected and upheld according to traditional practices. In the case of the anchovies, once they reach port, they are cleaned and placed in barrels where they are left to mature for at least six months. This is followed by a six-step process that includes de-boning and filleting by hand. The fillets are then macerated in vinegar and salt, packaged in oil and flavored with garlic and parsley.

Ortiz Conservas Boquerones Marinated White Anchovies are considered a delicacy worldwide for their firm texture. The Cheeesworks, Ringwood, N.J., began importing these hand-filleted anchovies to the U.S. market in 2007. According to Iker Fernandez, Ortiz USA sales director, they are typically eaten as an appetizer (or tapas), and can be served on toast spread with tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil. They can also top a salad, or are delicate enough to eat on their own. Suggested retail: $10.50/4.3-ounce jar; thecheeseworks.com.—Denise Shoukas