Spain’s tradition of preserving seafood is one of the oldest and most celebrated in Europe. For centuries, especially along coastal regions like Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, preserving fish and seafood has been a cornerstone of our culinary culture. Today, many of these preserves have gone from being simple pantry staples to becoming true gourmet delicacies, featured even in high-end restaurants.
In this article, we bring you six essential seafood preserves that combine this time-honoured tradition with the practicality we all appreciate in summer. You can find them all at www.yourspanishcorner.com, ready to be delivered straight to your home anywhere in Europe.
1. Mussels in Escabeche: A Timeless Classic
Few flavours are as bold and recognisable as good mussels in escabeche. They’re perfect straight from the tin, served with crispy chips or crusty bread. But they also shine in warm salads, on toast, or even as a topping for a smooth gazpacho.
Gourmet tip: add the mussels (including some of the escabeche liquid) to a salad of lamb’s lettuce, red onion, tomato, and hard-boiled egg. The dressing is already in the tin!
And if this summer you want to surprise your friends with a unique appetizer, check out this recipe on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/shorts/dtLmRP6GGJU?si=BK77jZGgC9I1rAcw): crispy fries with a silky mussel escabeche mayo. Irresistible, easy to prepare, and sure to earn you the title of king of the snack table.
2. Bonito del Norte in Olive Oil: A Summer Staple
Bonito del norte isn’t just any tuna. Its delicate texture, mild flavour, and white flesh make it ideal for cold summer dishes. From the classic ensaladilla rusa to a simple tomato and onion salad, bonito takes it all to the next level.
Gourmet tip: prepare a quick tartare with flaked bonito, avocado, pickles, chives, and a touch of wholegrain mustard. Perfect served on thin toast.
3. Razor Clams in Brine: Tinned Elegance
Razor clams in brine are a true delicacy. Their intense, oceanic flavour makes them ideal for quick starters or to add a special touch to your dishes.
Gourmet tip: serve them with a squeeze of lime, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkle of sweet paprika. They also make a brilliant topping for creamy rice or an express fideuá.
4. Sardines in Oil or Escabeche: Authentic Spanish Flavour
Tinned sardines are one of those flavours that instantly transport you to a beach bar on the Spanish coast. Delicious on their own, they’re also perfect in a sandwich, impromptu tapas, or to add flavour to a cold pasta dish.
Gourmet tip: mash them onto toasted bread, add some grated tomato and a dash of oregano. Pop them in the oven for a few minutes and you’ve got spectacular tapas.
5. Anchovies and Boquerones: Two Tapas Staples
Anchovies in oil and boquerones in vinegar are two must-haves for any Spanish-style aperitif. Often confused, their flavours are actually quite different and wonderfully complementary: anchovies are salty and intense, while boquerones are fresh, tangy, and delicate. Enjoy them solo with olives and a cold beer, or as part of refreshing toasts and summer salads.
Gourmet tip: top crusty bread with grated tomato, a quality anchovy, and a strip of piquillo pepper. Or pair boquerones with avocado and red onion for a light, flavourful salad. It’s Spain on a plate.
6. Cockles in Brine: Pure Taste of the Sea
Cockles in brine are a true delicacy. Small, tasty, and with that irresistible salty touch. Perfect in salads, rice dishes, or simply with a dash of lemon and a chilled glass of white wine.
Gourmet tip: make a vinaigrette with finely chopped onion, red pepper, parsley, olive oil, and vinegar. Serve over toast or as a side for seafood.
Why Choose Spanish Seafood Preserves?
Spanish seafood preserves are internationally recognised for their quality — not just for the raw ingredients, but for the traditional preservation methods behind them. From Galicia to the Cantabrian coast, and across the Mediterranean, these techniques respect the time and process that give preserves their full flavour and nutritional value.
Especially in summer, they’re:
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Easy to store and use
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Require no cooking
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Healthy and rich in omega-3
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Versatile for everyday meals or gourmet dishes
And most importantly: they taste like Spain — like the seaside, like tapas, like family, like long summer afternoons under a beach umbrella.
At www.yourspanishcorner.com we make it easy for you. You’ll find all these preserves and many more Spanish products to help you reconnect with the flavours of home. We ship across Europe quickly and reliably, so you’re never without the essentials.
Place your order, stock your pantry with the taste of the sea, and this summer, travel to Spain without leaving your home.
Would you like us to share specific recipes using these preserves? Got a summer trick for using them in your meals? Let us know — we might include it in our next blog post!
