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Mussels Escabeche





Yields
Serves 6 to 8 (makes about 1 1/2 cups)



Prep and Cook Time
40 mins



Marinate Time
1 day



Total Time
1 day 40 mins

The Spanish excel at preserving food, and chef Ryan Pollnow always has several conservas on the menu at Aatxe ("Ah-chay") restaurant in San Francisco. These lightly pickled mussels are surprisingly easy to make, yet taste as though you spent hours on them. Serve with hunks of warm baguette to soak up the spicy, delicious oil.

su-Mussels Escabeche Image




Photo: Thomas J. Story

 1 pound plump, medium-size mussels
 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced crosswise
 1 shallot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
 1 teaspoon smoked sweet Spanish paprika (Pimentón de La Vera, dulce)*
 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
 3 1/2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
Step 1
1

Heat a 4-qt. pot over high heat. Add mussels and 1/4 cup water; immediately cover to trap steam. Cook just until mussels open, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain, discarding any unopened ones. Let cool, then scrape mussels from shells into a bowl.

Step 2
2

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add garlic, shallot, paprika, and saffron. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until garlic and shallot are soft but not golden.

Step 3
3

Remove mixture from heat and stir in salt and vinegar. Pour over mussels. Set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and let mussels cool until cold.

Step 4
4

Transfer mussels and pickling mixture to a pt.-size jar (or 2 smaller ones). Tamp mussels gently to just sub­merge, then chill at least 1 and up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before eating.

Step 5
5

*Find the paprika at well-stocked grocery stores and online at spanishtable.com.

Step 6
6

Make ahead: Up to 3 days, chilled.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

Amount per serving
Calories111
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g15%

Saturated Fat 1.6g8%
Cholesterol 4.6mg2%
Sodium 143mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 2.3g1%

Dietary Fiber 0.1g1%
Protein 2.2g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.