Gianchetti facts for kids

Gianchetti (also called bianchetti) are tiny, very young fish caught in the Mediterranean Sea. They are often called "whitebait" and are the babies of "blue fish" like sardines and anchovies. Fishermen catch them using special nets, usually in the early months of the year. Because not many of these tiny fish are caught, their price can be quite high in markets. Since the 1990s, you can also find frozen gianchetti.

What Are Gianchetti?

Gianchetti are basically baby fish. They are very small and delicate. They come from a group of fish called pesce azzurro, which means "blue fish." This group includes popular fish like sardines and anchovies. These fish are known for their silvery-blue color.

Gianchetti are caught when they are still very young. This makes them a special seafood. They are usually caught in the Mediterranean Sea. This sea is home to many different kinds of fish.

How Gianchetti Are Enjoyed

Gianchetti are a famous food in Liguria, a region in Italy. People there love to eat them in different ways. One common way is to boil them gently in salted water. After boiling, they are served hot with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. This simple way lets you taste their delicate flavor.

Another popular method is to make fritters. This means mixing the tiny fish with an egg and flour batter. Then, the mixture is fried until it's crispy and golden. Sometimes, gianchetti are simply dipped in flour and then deep fried. This makes them crunchy and delicious.

Red Gianchetti

There is also a type of gianchetti that has a reddish color. These are called ruscetti or rossetti. They are a bit different from the white ones. Red gianchetti are usually tougher and have more scales. Because of this, they are often used in a different way. They are mostly added to fish-based sauces to give them a rich flavor.

Gallery

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  A fisherman's hands working with a fishing net.
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  Fishing nets drying on the Italian Riviera.
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  A dish featuring gianchetti.