Absolutely Addictive: Fried Anchovies & Sage

For those out there that think of anchovies as "bait" taste again!

The oily anchovies pair perfectly with the savory flavor of sage, dipped in a light batter and fried quickly until golden they are absolutely addictive & perfect with a glass of white wine before dinner.   Commonly overlooked, but absolutely delicious is the blue fish family or pesce azzuro - anchovies, sardines, mackerel, etc.  they are not only flavorful but rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

We're posting this recipe of Fried Anchovies with Sage, not only because it's one of my all-time favorite antipasti but to celebrate the reopening of the Adriatic Sea for fishing. Every year, the Adriatic closes fishing for six weeks in the summer - hey even the anchovies need a holiday!

Fried Anchovies with Sage
Acciughe fritte con la salvia

1lb of fresh anchovies, cleaned, spine removed - you can use small sardines as well.
sage leaves (optional - if you are not a fan of sage just omit)

batter
1 cup of flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
seltzer water
vegetable oil for frying

In a bowl combine flour, eggs, salt & baking powder. Slowly add in seltzer water & mix until forms a thin batter. Cover with plastic & set in the fridge for at least an hour.

Heat oil in a pot to 350 degree.

Remove batter from fridge and mix once or twice (batter will have separated)

Take a sage leaf & anchovy put them together & dip into the batter - allowing access batter to drip off. Fry 20 seconds a side until golden brown.

Remove from oil & drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt & serve immediately.

Pairs great with Prosecco or a crisp white wine like Verdicchio D.O.C.

Pumpkin Stuffed Ravioli with Butter & Sage

Pumpkin Ravioli Filling

1 hard squash (butternut, sweet pumpkin, etc)
olive oil
salt
nutmeg
parmesan cheese
salt & pepper

Cut pumpkin into chunks & drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt.
Roast at 350 degrees until pumpkin is soft. Allow to cool.
Scoop pumpkin out of its shell into a bowl.
Add a handful of grated parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt & pepper. (If you like you can add ground cloves or ginger - any spice you like to give it that fall feel.)
Mix it all up - use to stuff cappelletti, tortellini or ravioli.
Can also be served as a side dish without the pasta.
Once pasta is filled, throw into salted boiling water until they float to the top.
Freezes well: place in a single layer on a sheet pan, then transfer into zip lock bag.

Make your own pasta using our "Down & Dirty Pasta Dough from Scratch Recipe" - Click here! or buy fresh sheets of pasta.

To stuff your ravioli ~

• Roll out a sheet of pasta to about an 1/8 of an inch thickness -the thinner the better.
• Evenly space out small mounds of filling.
• Lay another sheet of pasta over the top.
• With your fingers gently smooth out any air bubbles.
• Cut out ravioli - either squares with a pizza knife or ravioli cutter or a shot glass for circular ravioli. Most importantly making sure the sides are closed.
  

Circles or squares you make the choice! We do both - but I've gotta say there is something about the circles I love.

Ravioli with Butter & Sage

• In a pan slowly melt a couple of tablespoons of butter & gently fry a handful of sage leaves for 1 - 2 minutes.

• Raise the heat, toss in your cooked pasta with a bit of pasta water.

• Season with salt & pepper & serve.

We use 'ugly squash' for our pumpkin ravioli filling & it comes out so creamy with a bright orange color!

Attention Bacon Lovers: Italian Cured Pig's Cheek

Cured pig's cheek or guanciale di maiale (literally translates to cheek of the pig) is hands-down the BEST bacon Jason & I have ever eaten - and have yet to find someone who disagrees once they taste it's porky goodness! I know it sounds a bit weird to some to eat or order cheek - but trust me - just go with it - especially if you are in Italy. In our neck of the woods in Le Marche, it is served at home and commonly found on the menus of rustic traditional osteria's, family run restaurants just like our farmhouse, as an antipasta atop crostini. The recipe below calls for red wine vinegar which perfectly cuts the fat and combined with the sage makes for a rich meaty buttery deliciousness with a kick!

Bacon lovin' seems to run in the family - after 6 months of living in Italy, my sister Meagan returned to the States with only 2 things Italian: a new pair of shoes & a huge cured pig's cheek! Our good friend Fusciani proudly presented her with a home-cured cheek, proclaiming "my gift to America!"

America's gift from Italy

Recipe for Cured Pig's Cheek Guanciale di Maiale

cured pig’s cheek (guanciale di maiale)
fresh sage leaves, few handfuls
olive oil
garlic cloves
red wine vinegar

Slice cured pig's cheek very thinly or ask your butcher.
In a frying pan, on medium heat add 2 glugs of olive oil, garlic cloves & sage leaves, add pig's cheek.

Cook for approximately 30 seconds - 1 minute on each side, until changes color to a nice golden brown, but not burned.
Blot with a paper towel.

Lightly sprinkle with red wine vinegar.
Serve immediately with the sage.

Pair best with crusty bread to soak up the juices or better yet blow your diet and serve for breakfast with eggs & toast!

Jason showing a guest how to slice prosciutto & guanciale paper thin

Fried Anchovies with Sage

If you have not tried anchovies before - you must try them now! Get over any weird apprehensions or that its just bait or a punchline for a joke about pizza ("extra anchovies")! These little suckers are delicious & actually good for you! Baked, fried & grilled - they are ohh so good and worth a try. If your not up to it, then pass me your plate because I love'em!
Here is my favorite - Fried Anchovies - the recipe below adds a sage leave to each piece of fish as well for an extra burst of flavor & color.

Fried Anchovies with Sage
Acciughe fritte con Salvia

1lb of anchovies cleaned, spine removed
sage leaves (optional - if you are not a fan of sage just omit)

batter
1 cup of flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
seltzer water

vegetable oil for frying

In a bowl combine flour, eggs, salt & baking powder. Slowly add in seltzer water & mix until forms a thin batter. Cover with plastic & set in the fridge for at least an hour.

Heat oil in a pot to 350 degree.

Remove batter from fridge and mix once or twice (batter will have separated).

Take a sage leaf & anchovy put them together & dip into the batter - allowing access batter to drip off.

Fry 20 seconds a side until golden brown.

Remove from oil & drain on a paper towel.

Sprinkle with salt & serve immediately.

Pairs great with prosecco or white wine.