Bottling Messinian Heritage
Greka Icons, Greece In Messinia, olive groves tumble towards the Ionian Sea and fig trees cling to stone terraces. Greka Icons was created in 2012 to capture these landscapes in…
Alici di Menaica, Italy
Used since Greek times, this fine mesh allows only mature anchovies to be caught, ensuring the young continue to swim free. The fishermen of Alici di Menaica still set these nets at dusk, then clean, salt and age the fish using methods that have barely changed.
Fish are layered with sea salt in chestnut barrels, left to ferment and age for months, then the resulting amber liquid is extracted and filtered. A few drops add intense umami to pasta, vegetables and seafood.
Their product range goes beyond salted anchovies. Ventresca di Tonno a Pinne Gialle, or yellowfin tuna belly, is carefully selected, gently cooked and preserved in extra virgin olive oil with just sea salt. The result is a melt‑in‑the‑mouth texture rich in omega‑3s, perfect for salads or antipasti.
Alici Marinate are fresh anchovies cleaned and marinated in white wine vinegar, then seasoned with garlic, parsley and olive oil; they offer a tangy, ready‑to‑eat appetiser rich in protein and omega‑3s.
Anchovies caught with menaica nets are cleaned, salted and aged in terracotta pots for several months. Recognised as a Presidio Slow Food product, these anchovies deliver an intense, savoury flavour.
Cilento’s anchovy culture is as much about preservation as it is about taste. By using traditional nets and terracotta pots, Alici di Menaica honours a fishing heritage that respects marine ecosystems and celebrates simplicity. In each jar or bottle you taste the salt wind of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the patience of hands that continue an age‑old craft.
At Carnivale, we believe that the best food has an identity, dignity, and depth. It is a sentiment that Alici di Menaica embodies completely, understood through exploring their story. We are not here to shout about it. Our role is simply to listen, to translate, and to share. Together, we offer something timeless: flavor with a provenance, made by people who still believe in the enduring power of patience and of principle. Because in the end, it is not just about what you make, but why you make it.
