Storing salt packed anchovies

[snowangel]

I love them, and always have them on hand. What I've done in the past is just open the can and dump the contents into a Tupperware-type container. Should I be doing something different?

ETA: Since a can often lasts me a year, should I be doing some "maintenance" on the Tupperware-type container in the meantime?

[Chris Amirault]

I use a wide-mouthed glass jar so that the container isn't ruined for other future use, lay down a layer of kosher salt, put the anchovies into the jar (less any liquid), and keep 'em covered with as much salt as needed.

[Batard]

Don't some Italian markets in you area sell salt packed anchovies by the pound? A salumeria here in town always has an open can behind the counter, so you can buy as few or as many as you like. Over a period of a year though, I know I am paying about ten times what you do.

These are the kind I usually buy:

http://www.pennmac.com/items/2628

But if you do buy the kilo tins, cover them with salt in an airtight container, and they should last nearly forever.

[Peter the eater]

For the first half of my life I despised anchovies, to me they were the salty brown spots on a bad pizza. Then I had the kind in a glass jar from Italy, the little fish stored vertically in oil. Night and day. So now I must know what these salt-packed anchovies are like - I see the Agostino can - are they better/worse/same?

[Batard]

I think the best anchovies come whole, and you need to cut the backbones out before you use them. I still think the dried salted ones are the best, they are very subtle and make a great "secret ingredient". They also need to be soaked in water or milk for a while before you use them. I've never had anchovies packed in oil that I really liked, so I stick with the whole ones packed in salt and brine. There's a huge difference, at least in my limited experience.

[gperls]

Snowangel,

I store mine exactly the same way you do, and have never suffered any ill effects. I'm no expert, but that seems to work. I've been doing it for 5 years or more.

Greg

[weinoo]

I've also just kept them in their can by keeping it well covered with plastic wrap and a rubber band - they lasted at least a year, but Chris's method of moving them to a jar certainly sounds perfect.

Whatever method is employed, as long as they remain covered by the sale, they should be fine.