Once having gone through this process and the liquid has been drained, they are seasoned with minced garlic, olive oil, and parsley.

The dish is popular as a tapa in Spain and served in restaurants and bars, especially during the hottest summer months.

The prepared fish can be bought commercially (cleaned, deboned, with vinegar), requiring only additional garlic and parsley.

Anchovies can concentrate domoic acid, which causes amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans, sea mammals, and birds.

Anchovies also contain a high level of uric acid, a build-up of which can cause the inflammatory condition known as gout.