Tiny anchovies that were once little noticed are now a precious delicacy, rich in calcium, loved by everyone from young to old.

Tiny fish, high nutritional value: A gift from the rivers of the West

Anchovy, also known as anchovy, has a small body, only about 3 centimeters long, silvery white color, transparent meat. The outstanding features of this fish are its white belly like rice grains, large black eyes, helping the fish observe well when swimming.

In Vietnam, anchovies are found in abundance in the Vam Nao River, Tien River, Hau River, etc. This type of fish is exploited from the 4th to the 8th lunar month every year. Photo: Nhu Y

Anchovies have small heads, protruding mouths, thin round scales that fall off easily, and live mainly in large schools in rivers and canals in the Mekong Delta.

In Vietnam, anchovies are found in abundance in the Vam Nao River, Tien River, Hau River, etc. and are exploited from April to August of the lunar calendar every year. This type of fish is easily caught with thick and long nets, often living in large schools of up to thousands of individuals, creating a vibrant scene on the riverbed.

Anchovies can be processed into many delicious dishes, suitable for many people's tastes such as:

Sweet and sour braised fish: Fish is braised with fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar, creating a delicious sweet and sour flavor, served with white rice.

Braised with scallion oil: A simple but flavorful dish with braised anchovies and scallion oil, creating a rich, fragrant flavor that appeals to both adults and children.

Anchovies are processed into many eye-catching dishes that go well with rice. Photo: Hue Gifts.

Crispy fried: Crispy fried anchovies, served with sweet and sour fish sauce or chili sauce. When eating, you can feel the crispy, sweet taste of the fish, very suitable for light parties or as a snack.

Mango salad: Anchovy combined with green mango, herbs, roasted peanuts, creates a crunchy, sour, sweet mango salad, an attractive appetizer.

Sour soup: Anchovies cooked in sour soup with tomatoes, pineapple, bean sprouts, and herbs, creating a refreshing, sweet and sour soup, very suitable for hot summer days.

Anchovy - From popular dish to export specialty

Anchovies are not only delicious but also rich in nutritional value. According to experts, this type of fish contains high levels of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and joints, making it suitable for children and the elderly. Anchovies are also rich in protein, omega-3, vitamins and minerals, which help improve cardiovascular health, support brain function, and strengthen the immune system. The fish meat is soft, has no hard bones, is easy to digest and can be pureed, making it suitable for young children.

Anchovies have high calcium content, very good for the elderly and children. Photo: Nghe An Seafood.

Anchovies contain high levels of calcium, which helps improve bone and teeth health, prevent osteoporosis, and is especially good for growing children and the elderly.

Physician Vu Quoc Trung, a member of the Vietnam Oriental Medicine Association, said that anchovies are one of the fish with high calcium content, surpassing many other types of fish. "With abundant calcium, anchovies are very good for bone development, especially suitable for growing children and the elderly who need calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis," physician Trung shared.

Anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce bad cholesterol in the blood, protect the heart, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Thanks to its vitamin A and eye-healthy nutrients, eating anchovies can help improve eyesight and protect eyes from age-related diseases.

Physician Bui Hong Minh, Chairman of the Ba Dinh Oriental Medicine Association, also highly appreciated the role of anchovies in protecting the eyes. He shared: "The vitamins and nutrients in anchovies, especially vitamin A, are very good for the eyes, helping to reduce the risk of macular degeneration and improve eyesight."

Anchovies not only bring economic value to people living in river areas but also contribute to enriching the country's cuisine.

Anchovies are rich in protein, vitamin B12 and minerals such as iron and zinc, which help strengthen the immune system and support the body in fighting infections.

// With its soft, easily digestible meat texture, anchovies are a good choice for people with sensitive digestive systems, the elderly, and children. The high omega-3 content in anchovies is also beneficial for brain health, helping to improve memory, increase concentration, and reduce the risk of diseases related to cognitive decline.

A seafood trader in An Giang shared: "Anchovy is currently very popular, especially among tourists and export markets such as Taiwan and South Korea. The price of anchovy ranges from 300,000 to 500,000 VND/kg, much higher than other types of fish."

With its delicious taste and high nutritional value, anchovies are increasingly asserting their position on the dining table not only domestically but also in international markets. Photo: Khanh Hoa Specialties

Today, anchovies have surpassed the boundaries of a common dish to become a sought-after specialty. Not only is it a familiar dish in the daily meals of people in the West, anchovies are also used as meaningful gifts, showing respect for the hometown specialty. With its delicious taste and high nutritional value, anchovies are increasingly asserting their position on the dining table not only domestically but also in international markets.

Source: https://danviet.vn/loai-ca-mom-com-be-ti-ti-xua-it-ai-de-y-nay-la-dac-san-quy-rat-giau-canxi-gia-toi-tre-ai-cung-me-20240902010117169.htm