Gianchetti (also bianchetti) are the
whitebait
Whitebait is a collective term for the immature fry of fish, typically between long. Such young fish often travel together in schools along coasts, and move into estuaries and sometimes up rivers where they can be easily caught using fine-m ...
of the ''pesce azzurro''
[''pesce azzurro'' (‘blue fish’) is a term used in Italian cuisine to refer to a range of Mediterranean species (including anchovies, garfish, ]mackerel
Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of pelagic fish, mostly from the family Scombridae. They are found in both temperate and tropical seas, mostly living along the coast or offshore in the oceanic environment.
...
, sardines, sprats, swordfish
Swordfish (''Xiphias gladius''), also known as broadbills in some countries, are large, highly migratory predatory fish characterized by a long, flat, pointed bill. They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive. Swordfis ...
and tuna) which generally have blue or blue-green coloured backs and silvery bellie
of the
Mediterranean (
sardines and
anchovies, etc.), caught with special nets in the early months of the year. The relatively low catch means that the prices at market are rather high, even in comparison to other whitebait. Since the 1990s frozen gianchetti have also been available.
A speciality of the
Ligurian cuisine, gianchetti are generally lightly boiled in salted water and served hot, dressed with oil and lemon juice; another classic approach is to make fritters of the fish together with an egg and flour batter; finally they may simply be dipped in flour and
deep fried.
The gianchetti of a red colour (''ruscetti'', ''rossetti'') are tougher and scaly to the palate: they are largely used to flavour fish-based sauces.
See also
*
Cuisine of Liguria
*
List of Italian dishes
This is a list of Italian dishes and foods. Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BC. Italian cuisine has its origins in Etruscan, ancient Greek, and ancien ...
Notes
Gallery
Image:Le mani del pescatore.jpg,
Image:Reti da pesca.jpg,
Image:Gianchetti and poutine.jpg, {{center, The gianchetti.
Cuisine of Liguria
Fish dishes