A classic Spanish conserva that delivers plenty of flavour without the premium price tag. Bogar packs 12–16 tender mussels into each tin and covers them in a traditional escabeche-style marinade made with sunflower oil, vinegar, wine and bay leaf.
The mussels are plump and meaty, while the marinade brings the characteristic balance of tangy acidity, savoury depth and gentle spice that makes Spanish mussels in escabeche so addictive. The vinegar cuts through the natural richness of the mussels, while the wine and bay leaf round everything out with a more aromatic finish.
These are completely ready to eat and are excellent served straight from the tin at room temperature. For a classic Spanish-style tapa, pile the mussels onto good-quality potato chips and spoon a little of the escabeche over the top. Alternatively, serve them with crusty bread to soak up the marinade, alongside olives and other conservas, or over warm potatoes for an easy lunch.
Don't throw away the liquid in the tin — the escabeche is part of the experience. Spoon it over the mussels and bread, or whisk it vigorously to create a thicker, emulsified dressing.
An approachable introduction to Spanish tinned mussels and a particularly good choice for anyone looking for an everyday conserva with excellent flavour and versatility.
