Sardines Archives - Page 6 of 18

JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in Tomato

These JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in Tomato came with a recent Caputo's order. I have experienced an increasing affinity for sardines in tomato-based sauces, after having avoided them for reasons of which I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, let's try these out.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

There appear to be seven fish total. The can is a shallower one, so what you see is what you get (almost). The aroma is subtle, just slightly that of fresh sardine and somewhat vegetal. A sip of the red-tinted oil (EVOO!) is similarly vegetal, but gives no real hints of the tomato. I see no scales or fins.

Time To Eat

I was able to remove them all from the can largely intact. Underneath, and a happy surprise, was the tomato sauce from which the oil had separated. All told, there were a couple of tablespoons of it all, which I distributed over the fish and rice.

Tasting the tomato component, I find it has a subtle seasoning. The ingredients list tomato pulp, EVOO, onion and garlic, an unnamed preparation comprised of white wine, sugar, white pepper and paprika, and salt.

The seasonings account for a very small percentage of the list, but the onion, garlic and some sweetness, either from the tomato or the sugar, are the most detectable. The salt level, listed at 360mg. sodium, didn't distract.

The fish are tender, but firm enough to divide into bites with a fork without mushiness. While eating, I thought a spicy tomato version might be well-received. On the other hand, the sauce was subtle enough (I won't call it bland) to let the taste of the fish shine through.

If any complaint, it would be that there were a couple of pieces of what looked like some kind of brown grass that were either on or in one of the fish. Nothing in the ingredient list to explain it, but definitely some kind of plant material.

Main Takeaways

Tender, tasty small sardines
Well-balanced, subtle sauce lets fish flavor shine

Brand: 100 Misterios / JOSÉ Gourmet
Description: Small Sardines in tomato
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.2 oz.
Price Range: $9

Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Olive Oil & Hot Peppers

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These Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Olive Oil & Hot Peppers were also from that new local Middle Eastern market. They also sell a version packed in sunflower oil with hot peppers. A gentleman at the market proclaimed these packed in olive oil to be his favorite sardine. I had tried the ones with tomato sauce and hot peppers before and thought they were worthy. Let's see how these fare.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

A little ragged-looking, but that's not usually a problem, taste-wise. The fresh sardine aroma is subtle. The oil is tinted red from the pepper. There are a few scales evident, but no tails or fins. A sip of the olive oil is neutral, until its heat hits the back of the throat with unexpected intensity.

Diving In

There are six medium size fish packed in the deep tin. All were firm enough to extract fairly intact, save for some roughed-up skin. Two sizeable peppers apparently account for the muscular level of heat.

There was a tablespoon or more of oil left in the can, and I cautiously poured about two thirds of it over everything.

Separating the fish into bites with a fork, they are firm but on the palate tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth. They are satisfyingly meaty at the same time. The salt level is just about right, with 440mg. sodium, a little above average.

Mixing the hot oil with the rice subdued the heat somewhat, and made for a satisfying level of spice throughout.

Main Takeaways

Tender, meaty pilchards
Good sardine flavor
Pepper heat is strong but not excessive

I would consider these a definite re-buy for spicy sardines. They check most all of the boxes for flavor, texture and heat. And all at a reasonable price.

Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines with olive oil & hot pepper
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.41 oz.
Price Range: $3

El Manar Mediterranean Sardines in Sunflower Oil

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I got these El Manar Mediterranean Sardines in Sunflower Oil from another new-to-me local vendor, this time a Middle Eastern market. I had been wanting to try the brand for a long time, but they were never available individually priced on Amazon. While they were very attractively priced by the dozen there, I was reluctant to commit to twelve cans of an unknown commodity.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

This was one of those super stiff cans you think you'll never get the lid off. I was finally able to do so with minimal oil splatter. After doing so, I didn't note much in the way of aroma, only the slightest whiff of a fresh fish smell. A sip of the oil was also neutral, not unexpected from sunflower oil.

There looks to be a generous number of fish in this can, which is a good thing. I also see little or nothing in the way of scales or fins. Also good.

Lunch Time

Unloading the can out over rice, I am pleased to see a total of eight fish. They are firm enough to remain intact.

An initial bite reveals a meaty texture, not dry but not what I would call juicy by any means. I also note they are surprisingly a little salty, but not off-puttingly so. The English language label lists 270mg. sodium, relatively low for tinned fish.

After finishing half the can, I decided to season them up a little. A new jar of Micro Pharms Crunchy Garlic Oil seemed the perfect choice. It has tons of crunch, and by typical chili crisp/crunch standards, isn't salty at all. Turns out it was a good combination. I note the Amazon listing's image of the label says 0mg. sodium, but it's actually a still-very low 60mg.

Main Takeaways

Tender but firm fish
Generous portion
A little salty

Overall, I thought there was much to like about these, and just may consider purchasing a dozen. El Manar also sells a version packed in harissa oil. Hopefully, I can convince the local vendor to consider stocking them as well.

Brand: ManarThon-Zarzis / El Manar
Description: Sardines in sunflower oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Tunisia
Source: FAO37, Mediterranean Sea
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $3-4

Maria Organic Sardines with Organic Tomatoes in EVOO

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I got these Maria Organic Sardines with Organic Tomatoes in EVOO during my first visit to a new local gourmet foods market of which I just became aware. I was encouraged by their initial inventory of non-supermarket variety tinned fish. Hopefully, their selection will expand even further.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

The aroma is of fresh tomato. A sip of the oil is similar, except with a note of the sardines. Any notes from the EVOO itself were masked by the tomato. There appear to be four medium to large pilchards. The tomato consistency is that of crushed tomatoes. The flavor of it doesn't suggest anything in the way of seasonings, and the label confirms only tomatoes, EVOO and salt.

Time For Lunch

Out over rice, there are three medium size fish and one a bit larger than the rest. I see a few scales remaining in the sauce, but pour it all over the fish anyway. I didn't note any fins, but the sauce may have concealed them.

The tomatoes are thick and cling well to the fish, the intense red color indicative of their depth of flavor.

An initial bite is firm and meaty. There is no dryness to the mouthfeel, and the flavor of the fish is fresh.

I thought the salt balance was spot-on, adding just enough to serve both the fish and tomato sauce well. The impression of freshness of the sauce is a big plus, and its brightness of flavor complements the fish well. Thankfully, it doesn't taste over-cooked, as some tomato sauces do.

Main Takeaways

Meaty pilchards
Fresh, bright tasting tomato
Thick sauce clung well to the fish

A spicy tomato version of this tin would be a welcome addition to the Maria Organic offerings.

Brand: 100 Misterios / Maria Organic
Description: Sardines with organic tomatoes in EVOO
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $8-9

Angelo Parodi Sardines in Olive Oil

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These Angelo Parodi Sardines in Olive Oil came with an order from International Loft a few months ago. I had already tried their spicy sardines, and found them very good. I wanted to see if these plain pilchards would stand on their own. Some packages seen call them Portugese Sardines, either in English or Portugese.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

Not nearly as impressive as the spicy ones were. There's not really much in the way of an aroma, just some slight fishiness, but not in a bad way. A sip of the oil is neutral. It's not EVOO, so not really surprising.

There appear to be four sizeable pilchards, all a bit ragged-looking, with some bones peering from the cavity opening. Some scales evident. Also, some pelvic fins, and on one, a tail. There are specks of something I suspect might be a little dirt. An initial bite is a bit bland, but the sardine flavor is fresh.

Let's Proceed

I'm surprised how pedestrian these look compared to the spicy ones, which were nicely packed and in virtually pristine condition.

Digging in, I found them tender and moist. The sodium level is listed as 420mg, but the taste is of far less salt.

Still, on the palate they are a meaty sardine, appearances aside.

When I got to the last fish, I broke out a little chili crisp to season it up, and that bit of extra saltiness was an improvement.

Main Takeaways

Not the prettiest pilchards
Moist, tender and meaty fish
Good flavor once you get past the looks

I have three more tins of these I got from Home Goods. They certainly will be from a different lot, so the possibility exists this tin was an anomaly, appearance-wise. I'll update once I try them, either way.

Update

It's only a week later, but I wanted to do this follow-up sooner than later, while the first tin was still fresh in my mind.

Initial impression upon opening (2nd) can: 4.8/5.

These were a little cleaner looking, and not quite as torn up. Four fish again. This time they came out of the can mostly intact. The aroma and taste of the oil were about the same as the first can.

These were stuffed in the can so tight they assumed a blocky, squared-off shape. As before, there were pelvic fins and a few scales.

The flavor and texture were comparable to the first can. Still a tad low on salt, but a good, fresh sardine taste.

I think the difference between the two tins is minimal, mainly cosmetic, and could be chalked up to normal variation in whatever fish or whoever was canning them on each particular day. The "best by" dates on the two were little more than a month apart. While we'd like to always see beautiful silvery bellies with no scales, the reality is that it's not going to happen 100% of the time. The bigger question for me is, why does Home Goods have product labeled with fresher dating than a normal vendor?

Brand: Angel Parodi
Description: Sardines in Olive Oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.23 oz.
Price Range: $4

El Raño Wild Caught Sardines with Lemon Essence

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I had read you could sometimes find sardines at Home Goods stores. These El Raño Wild Caught Sardines with Lemon Essence would be my third such find there. The store has a "gourmet foods" aisle, and it's typically crammed full with a hodgepodge of jarred sauces, olive oils, snacks, condiments and sundry other such items.

You really have to stoop and dig sometimes, as none of it is what you'd call "merchandised". And you kind of have to watch the pricing, too. Sometimes their marked-down price is slightly above that which you can find elsewhere, if you know where to look.

This happened to be a promotional package that included a ceramic serving dish. The boxed tin was nestled in the dish, and all was slipped into a cardboard sleeve. A dot of glue kept things from sliding apart, but it also damaged the carton upon opening. I tried to find an image of an identical carton, but to no avail. It seems like many canneries change their packaging more often than their underwear. So, I did a little quick cut-and-paste photo fixing.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4/5.

Not very pretty. It's three quite large pilchards (allegedly) crammed into the deep can. I see spine and bones protruding from one, and there are quite a number of scales. And at least one set of pelvic fins. A far cry from the pretty, silver-bellied specimens found in better tins.

There is an initial subtle aroma of lemon which quickly dissipates. There is no fishy aroma to be detected. A sip of the oil takes a moment to echo the lemon flavor.

Here We Go

Getting the first one out was difficult, and it had to be broken up to extract it. The large spine, as well as some residual entrails I'm not used to dealing with, I found to be a distraction. I scraped off some more scales and resumed my assessment.

There was a tablespoon or more of oil (listed only as vegetable oil) left in the can. I poured most of it over everything in hopes of maximizing any experience of lemon flavor.

I noted the meat was not dry, but it flaked in a way I'm not used to with sardines. Its texture was a bit like some other kind of fish (tilapia?). Another distraction. But I soldiered on.

The heat of the rice did let the lemon flavor bloom a bit, and I found at least that part of things pleasant. There was no actual lemon in the can, so "natural lemon flavor" is all I have to go on. The salt balance was OK, neither too high nor too low.

Main Takeaways

Large fish, with odd texture
Too much in the way of scales and other unpleasantries
Distractions interfered with enjoyment

I had higher hopes for these. The El Raño label is under the umbrella of Conservas Artesanas Gallegas, which also produces La Narval and Maruxaina. But it appears to be their "value" brand.

Here's a view of the full package and the serving dish.

The cost was $8, with the store tag saying "compare at $10". The dish is nothing special. But for cheap, who cares? If it had been $8 for just the tin of fish, however, I wouldn't have considered it a bargain.

Amazon sells a double-pack of a small sardines version of these at a tempting price, but I am ambivalent about risking the $12 for two smallish cans only to be potentially disappointed again.

Brand: Conservas Artesanas Gallegas / El Raño
Description: Wild caught sardines with lemon essence
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Spain
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $10

King Oscar Sardines in EVOO with Hot Jalapeño Peppers

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Time for some sprats. These King Oscar Sardines in EVOO with Hot Jalapeño Peppers are one of several flavored brisling variations the producer sells. Some are packed 8-12 fish, packed in a single layer. Others, like these are "12+" fish (used to say 12-22), packed in two layers. These promise to be hot. Let's see if they are.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

As expected, we have the interlaced packing typical of King Oscar sprats. No mushy glop of fish here, they look nice and firm. The skins are mostly intact. The aroma skews heavily to the jalapeño, of which there are a handful of slices placed on top. The wrapper says lightly wood-smoked, but it's hard to tell over the scent of the pepper.

The oil is tinged a greenish color, but I suspect that's less to do with the EVOO and more to do with the green of the peppers. A tentative sip of it gives a subtle amount of heat on the tongue.

Digging In

Extracting them from the can, they are not as firm as they look. Almost fused together, each is reluctant to remain intact as I pry them apart. They are tender, but I wouldn't write off the "fall aparty-ness" as being mushy. It's hard to tell, but I think there are 14 fish total, 8 on top with 6 underneath.

Being sprats, they still have tails, but they're not prickly, as can sometimes be the case. These are from Poland, and it's those from Latvia that often exhibit tails that can be a little scratchy.

I ate these straight from the can. I've always viewed sprats/brisling more as the snack sardine, rather than something I'd make a meal of. Working through them, I noted the heat level was very steady, enough to leave a tingling sensation on the lips and tongue, but not enough to irritate the back of the throat.

The salt level is just right, about that to be expected from the 330 mg. listed on the wrapper.

Honestly, I don't know if I'd buy these again. My heat preference with sardines skews more to piri-piri peppers or the Sichuan pepper of a spicy chili crisp. But, if you like jalapeño, these might be the ticket for you.

Main Takeaways

Good sardine flavor
Moderate heat from the peppers
Not really getting any smoke flavor

As with their sprats in EVOO, these were also $3.58 at Walmart, which I think is a little high. In quantity from Amazon, they can be had for quite a bit less.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Brisling in EVOO with hot jalapeño peppers
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Poland
Source: FAO 27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.75 oz.
Price Range: $3-4