These Casablanca Sardines in Tomato Sauce came from the same market as the Casablanca Spicy Sardines with Hot Peppers. I guess they were also $1.99 as, for some reason I recorded that I had purchased two tins of those instead of one of each. Then I apparently stashed these way, and forgot about them until just now.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.
More huge pilchards. Nicely packed, though, not roughed up at all. At least this time it wasn't one of those stiff, hard-to-open tins. Which also makes me wonder how many canneries Casablanca uses. Closer inspection shows these with a BB date of only six months away, odd for a product that had just been stocked by the market.
The aroma is fresh, and a taste of the tomato sauce reveals a brightness of flavor. The sauce is a basic one, being only water, tomato paste and sunflower oil.
Let's Eat
Lifting them out of the tin, they want to break in two. Stuffed under one of the two really large pilchards is one smallish one, also a bit "fall-apart-y".
I noted a few scales in the transfer to the bowl, but nothing major. After whisking it up a bit, I poured the sauce remaining in the can over everything.
The fish are incredibly tender, with melt-in-your-mouth level texture. Nice and moist as well, with a good sardine flavor.
Not really salty at all, only 210mg. sodium for the entire tin. But I didn't feel compelled to take any measures to address it.
I think the age on these has proven that vintage sardines are a valid concept. If kept at moderate ambient temperature, tins with a couple years on them can be a premium experience. Even better when the tin is only $2.
Main Takeaways
- Tender, moist fish
- Just okay tomato sauce
- Bargain price
Brand: Spice N' More Corp. / Casablanca
Description: Sardines in tomato sauce
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $2