Tinned fish anchors elevated, easy apps for Galentine’s Day

Galentine’s Day, launched more than a decade ago thanks to “Parks and Recreation” character Leslie Knope, celebrates sisterhood. Typically observed Feb. 13 as an alternative or addition to Valentine’s Day, it’s become both a cultural phenomenon and an annual tradition that gives women a reason to get together to uplift and support one another.

Though I love to cook, I wanted to host a party and be my own guest. Deciding to serve something relatively easy yet posh, I scanned my pantry and found several cans of tinned fish, forgotten gifts from Christmas — high-quality anchovies, sardines and octopus (my favorite).

Let’s be clear: Good seafood in a can is not survival fare. Tinned fish, already popular around the world, can be a treat on the same level as expertly crafted charcuterie or finely aged cheese. These delicacies, imported from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Denmark — as well as the coastal United States, especially smoked salmon from Alaska — are well worth the price. Expect to pay between $10 and $20, depending on the size of the can or jar and country of origin.

To keep things simple and light for our Galentine’s Day party, I chose foods that pair nicely with prosecco. To identify what each was, I served the fish right out of their tins with small rye toasts and steamed baby potatoes splashed with a little lemon and freshly ground pepper. Because the fish are packed in olive oil and herbs, they pack plenty of flavor — briny, salty, umami — and they’re rich and satisfying. Tinned fish are relatively interchangeable, so feel free to swap out one can for the next.

You might also toss the sardines or anchovies with pasta and sun-dried tomatoes and finish with a drizzle of lemon juice to make a full meal. Or serve the potatoes topped with anchovies and a side...