# Anchovies, sardines, herring, surströmming, and other fishy treats **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 18, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347 "2023-11-18T23:16:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/61 "2023-11-20T02:21:07Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > One of the best pizzas I’ve ever had was a small pie at a pizzeria owned by a Sicilian immigrant in Brighton, England. Anchovies and capers, very little cheese, and a simple tomato sauce, all on a Sicilian-style crust. If there’s any way anyone knows of for me to sell my eternal soul for this pizza tonight, PM me. ETA: prefer cooked in wood fired oven ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/62 "2023-11-20T02:29:29Z")
IIRC Worcestershire sauce, when it was first invented, was truly nasty. Horrid. So, they gave up. Then, for whatever reason, they came back to some barrels that had been left in a basement for sometime and, against all expectations, they tried what was there and it was great! Why anyone thought that concoction would ever be good be beyond me but…it worked. I always have a bottle of it on hand. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/63 "2023-11-20T03:12:24Z")
I have a feeling Tabasco and sriracha were discovered the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/64 "2023-11-20T10:46:23Z")
tabasco is basically hot (as in spicy) vinagar … a very basic condiment ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/65 "2023-11-20T12:15:27Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Why anyone thought that concoction would ever be good be beyond me I assume because people have been enjoying various fermented fish sauces for thousands of years. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/66 "2023-11-20T12:28:15Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > When I was in college I would occasionally get anchovies on pizza. Every once in a while, I get a craving for an anchovy pizza as well. I can’t really order one because virtually all the pizza places have dropped anchovies off of their list of available add-ons. So, instead, I’ll get a 4 cheese Digiorno’s pizza and simply add them on myself before cooking. I get a dinner and 2 lunches out of that. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/67 "2023-11-20T12:43:01Z")
Sardines. The things in a can are not really sardines (the species) > The [FAO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAO)/[WHO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHO) Codex standard for [canned sardines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canned_sardines) cites 21 species that may be classed as sardines.[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardine#cite_note-codex-8) [FishBase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FishBase), a database of information about fish, calls at least six species pilchards, over a dozen just sardines, and many more with the two basic names qualified by various adjectives. From: > **[Sardine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardine)** > > Sardine and pilchard are common names for various species of small, oily forage fish in the herring family Clupeidae. The term 'sardine' was first used in English during the early 15th century; a somewhat dubious folk etymology says it comes from the Italian island of Sardinia, around which sardines were once supposedly abundant. > The terms 'sardine' and 'pilchard' are not precise, and what is meant depends on the region. The United Kingdom's Sea Fish Industry Authority, for example, classifie... Sardines as a species is this: > **[European pilchard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_pilchard)** > > The European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the monotypic genus Sardina. The young of the species are among the many fish that are sometimes called sardines. This common species is found in the northeast Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea at depths of 10–100 m (33–328 ft). It reaches up to 27.5 cm (10.8 in) in length and mostly feeds on planktonic crustaceans. This schooling species is a batch spawner where each female lays 50,000–60,000 e The Europ... And they can commonly be found at beach bars (Chiringuitos) in Spain, where they are served thus: [![](https://imag.bonviveur.com/espeto-de-sardinas.jpg) ](https://imag.bonviveur.com/espeto-de-sardinas.jpg) As for Surströmming. The are fermented to the point that when they are “ripe” the cans they come in bulge: [![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/200630085329-733576bd93fd427787ee20b81df2961f/v1/f8c99961912fbf299d661059b2a0eeb7.jpg) ](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/200630085329-733576bd93fd427787ee20b81df2961f/v1/f8c99961912fbf299d661059b2a0eeb7.jpg) As for the horrible smell - well smell is a big part of taste, so why bother. Strömming is a quasi species. It’s herring fished north of the island Öland, where the Baltic sea is quite brackish. It gives them a small distinction in taste as compared to regular herring. Of course, I should return my Swedish membership card, because I detest the taste of all kinds of herring, which is mandatory to serve in some form or another at all major holidays (usually as one thing out of many at a Smorgasbord). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/68 "2023-11-20T13:13:29Z")
In Bob Woodward’s biography of John Belushi, the _ **SNL** _ star has cold pizza and chocolate milk for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/69 "2023-11-20T13:19:04Z")
I just had kippers for breakfast, and I’m not even a Texas millionaire. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/70 "2023-11-20T13:26:29Z")
So you must be alive and well then! Good show! > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNQcsuNK10E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNQcsuNK10E) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/71 "2023-11-20T15:17:35Z")
I like the “brisling” sardines in oil from King Arthur brand. It tastes like a different species of fish than the Portuguese sardines. I like many types of sardines, but the brisling are my favorite. I like many preparations of pickled herring. Cream sauce is my favorite, although these days i sometimes run into a brand that’s sweeter than i want. I love pickled mackerel, and smoked mackerel is even better. But I’ve had trouble finding it recently. I probably like anchovies, too, but my husband hates fish, and my daughter complains when i cook salmon (the smell), so i don’t get anchovies. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/72 "2023-11-20T15:30:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I like the “brisling” sardines in oil from King Arthur brand. Has anyone purchased sardines from a Big Lots? Always different brands, some are fantastic others are just average. ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/73 "2023-11-20T18:20:34Z")
Linguine with anchovies is one of the foods of the gods. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/74 "2023-11-20T18:56:38Z")
I was in Madrid in April and had tapas with anchovies on smoked butter on crostini. Phenomenal. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/75 "2023-11-20T19:02:45Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > Phenomenal I keep hearing this (Aren’t you glad I didn’t say ‘I keep _herring_ this’?), but you can’t buy fresh sardines here. I think you have to go to Europe to get them. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/76 "2023-11-20T19:11:01Z")
In this case, they were anchovies, but I also had some delicious freshly grilled sardines. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/77 "2023-11-20T19:14:04Z")
Same with anchovies. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/78 "2023-11-20T21:48:28Z")
Really? I can find fresh sardines here in Chicago for about 8 bucks a pound from Portugal. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/79 "2023-11-20T22:07:26Z")
I’ve never seen any small fishes around here, except for smelt at one supermarket about ten years ago. Maybe they have them at Pike Place Fish Market, but it’s a PITA to get there now that the office is no longer in Belltown. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347/80 "2023-11-20T22:12:18Z")
The sardines I’m thinking of are not quite that small. Like 4-6 inches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anchovies-sardines-herring-surstromming-and-other-fishy-treats/993347.md?page=5)