Canned fish has, over just a few years, moved from being a culinary solution to a gourmet product. Traditionally associated with, as its name indicates, preserving the shelf life of highly perishable items like fish or shellfish, its status has gradually shifted to become a gastronomic attraction.
Seafood and fish now coexist in cans and jars, going far beyond simple storage to become objects of desire. Not only for foodies, but also for nutritionists who endorse the virtues these cans can offer, many of which are quite affordable.
In Spain, fortunately, we enjoy not only fresh fish at reasonable prices but also a canning culture that ensures a large part of our seas ends up in tins. Yet there are certain canned products that enjoy more fame or reputation than others, leaving behind some less iconic, but nutritionally advisable, options.
That is precisely what happens, according to nutritionist Izaskun García-Mantrana, with the great forgotten canned fish: “mackerel.” A blue fish very common on the Atlantic coasts of Andalusia, mackerel is also frequently consumed fresh in Galicia and parts of Cantabria, but not as widely elsewhere. Less so in preserves. Yet, it has a lot to offer.
Of forgotten fishes: the mackerel, queen of summer
When we think of a supermarket’s shelf, there are canned fish items that stand out in sheer number of references. Tuna and also bonito del norte are typically prominent and associated with high quality, but mackerel doesn’t hold the same sway. There are also sardines and small sardines that round out this roughly standard quartet.
In fact, Izaskun García-Mantrana, known as @lanutraceutica on social media, warned about the virtues of fresh mackerel. She described it as “the marine food you should eat more often and that is greatly overlooked.” And she isn’t far off. Mackerel has a very marked season in spring and summer, and it disappears after the fishing season, but that doesn’t mean it vanishes from the canned display as well.
In this case, she noted that grilled mackerel is one of the most complete and healthy fishes you can include in your diet. She attributed to it essential properties, such as being “rich in omega-3 fatty acids.” A true bulwark for heart health, “reducing triglycerides and keeping cholesterol in check.”
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James Whitaker
I’m James Whitaker, a UK-based journalist focused on emerging trends and everyday stories gaining attention across the country. I cover the topics people start talking about before they fully break into the mainstream. My work aims to stay clear, factual, and closely connected to how news is actually consumed today.