# Where Can You Buy Unsalted Anchovies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532 "2012-11-19T20:14:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/1 "2012-11-19T20:14:10Z")
I just opened a jar of “Roland” brand anchovies-like solid slat! Anybody know where you can buy these without added salt? I can’t taste anything except salt! ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/2 "2012-11-19T20:18:05Z")
Couldn’t you just buy a can of sardines? ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/3 "2012-11-19T20:40:48Z")
I think the usual procedure is to soak them in milk for 1/2 hour or so to reduce the saltiness. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/4 "2012-11-19T20:45:44Z")
I think they’re salted for preservation. I imagine rinsing them under cold water would work if you don’t want to go the milk-y route. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/5 "2012-11-20T00:21:02Z")
Anchovies are only used to introduce salt into recipes. That’s their function in life. No one eats anchovies to have fish. That’s what sardines are for. ---
**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, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/6 "2012-11-20T00:27:40Z")
There are actually anchovies _without_ salt?!? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/7 "2012-11-20T00:52:36Z")
Fresh anchovies have a pretty short shelf life (like all seafood) so your best bet is to go to your local fishmonger and ask if they sell them. Alternatively, if you just want something less salty, see if you can get a hold of spanish [Boquerones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boquerones_en_vinagre). ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/8 "2012-11-20T04:14:42Z")
Anchovies, “The Salt Of Champions”. The fresh ones are called minnows/bait fish here. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/9 "2012-11-20T04:44:40Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > Alternatively, if you just want something less salty, see if you can get a hold of spanish [Boquerones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boquerones_en_vinagre). Drool. These sound divine. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/10 "2012-11-20T05:38:22Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Anchovies are only used to introduce salt into recipes. That’s their function in life. No one eats anchovies to have fish. That’s what sardines are for. I think that anchovies impart a lot more than salt. But I agree they mostly function as a seasoning. You can find refrigerated pickled anchovies that are very good to eat on thier own. ---
**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, 2012, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/11 "2012-11-20T06:04:37Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > I think that anchovies impart a lot more than salt. Basically, it’s an umami bomb. Kind of like adding Accent/MSG to your dish. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/12 "2012-11-20T19:49:51Z")
White anchovies like Boquerones are pretty easy to find at places like New Seasons or Trader Joe’s. They are delicious and nothing like canned anchovies or sardines. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-buy-unsalted-anchovies/641532/13 "2012-11-21T23:58:40Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Basically, it’s an umami bomb. Kind of like adding Accent/MSG to your dish. Yup. I squirt some paste in my pizza sauce. Doesn’t make it fishy at all, but it sure tastes good.