The secret of the best Galician pickles

The marinade is a coating widely used in canned seafood that, in addition to helping preserve food, enhances its flavor and texture. Let’s see how to prepare a good marinade and how to choose the perfect one for each palate.

Marinade is an ancient culinary technique with origins dating back to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean, such as the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. Its name comes from the Arabic term “iskebech“, which referred to a way of marinating food in vinegar and spices to preserve it for a long time.

This practice arrived in Spain with the Arab influence during the Middle Ages and, since then, has become a hallmark of Spanish gastronomy, becoming part of the traditional recipe book of some canning areas such as Galicia, where the most delicious pickled preserves in the world are made.

A quality marinade depends not only on the process, but also on the ingredients used. The use of extra virgin olive oil, high quality vinegars and fresh spices makes a great difference in the final flavor of the product to be pickled. Likewise, quality seafood, such as mussels, scallops or sardines from the Galician coast, guarantee an exceptional texture and flavor. When the ingredients are first class, the marinade not only acts as a preservative, but also elevates the product to a unique gastronomic experience.

Galician escabeche has singularities that have positioned it as one of the best in the world. On these coasts, escabeche has been perfected thanks to the excellence of its raw materials: seafood and fish caught in the Galician estuaries, considered among the tastiest. In addition, Galician canners combine traditional techniques with culinary innovations, achieving a perfect balance between acidity, smoothness and aroma. Its most outstanding feature is the use of sweet or spicy paprika, which adds a unique smoky and earthy touch.

These particularities, together with a traditional preparation that maintains the traditional recipes, have made the Galician escabeche an international reference, ideal for palates that seek authenticity and flavor in every bite.

How to make a good pickling brine for preserves

To prepare a quality seafood marinade, the most renowned canneries follow these steps:

• Selection of raw materials: The selection of seafood, the most common being mussels, scallops, oysters, etc., is carried out in the nearest fish market to ensure maximum freshness. They are cleaned eliminating impurities and sand remains, in most cases manually, choosing only the largest and best looking pieces.
• Previous preparation: Some brands fry the seafood for a few seconds before placing them in the marinade.
• Preparation of the marinade: Although each cannery has its own recipe, the basis of the marinade is to mix EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) with wine vinegar, sweet or hot paprika to give color and flavor, spices, pepper, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt.
• Can cooking: After placing the raw material in the can, in many cases by hand, it is covered with the marinade and cooked until the aromas are mixed.

Which seafood is ideal for marinade

• Mussels:
  Mussels are the kings of pickled fish. Their tender and juicy meat is impregnated with the flavors of the mixture, being a star product among the Galician preserves. They are prepared both fresh and fried, and with sweet or spicy paprika.
• Zamburiñas:
  This seafood from the Galician estuaries is another protagonist of the marinade. Its sweet taste and fine texture make it an ideal delicacy for this preparation. The most common preparation is fried, and some brands add spice.
• Oysters:
  Although not as common in pickled oysters, oysters offer a unique and sophisticated experience. Their soft and slightly salty flesh perfectly complements the intensity of the marinade, making them a gourmet option for the most demanding palates.
• Scallops:
  Pickled scallops are a culinary jewel. Their sweet and smooth flesh absorbs beautifully the nuances of vinegar and spices, creating an exquisite and very delicate dish.

Best pickled preserves at Casa Ballester

At Casa Ballester we have a wide selection of brands of pickled seafood, carefully elaborated by the best Galician canneries. These brands represent tradition, quality and excellence in the art of pickled seafood:

At Casa Ballester we offer all these brands to make sure you find the best canned pickled products, whether mussels, scallops or oysters, you will enjoy every bite of Galician gastronomy!

We invite you to visit our store in Plaza de Veronicas in Murcia or enter our online store at www.casaballester.es to find these and other gourmet products of the best brands.