I see these Cento Skinless Boneless Sardines in a lot of stores. I'm familiar with Cento mainly for their tomato products: crushed, San Marzano, sauce and paste. Their salt cured anchovies also seem quite ubiquitous. I've always been satisfied with their other products, so I decided to give these a try.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.2/5.
Four good-sized pilchards, fewer and larger than my preference. No aroma to speak of. The oil is clear, and neutral in taste. The meat is firm but a tad on the dry side, leading it to be a little bland. I also found some skin, a scale or two, and some spine in one of them. Not much information on the can other than "product of Morocco". No real surprise there.
They were a little over $3 at Whole Foods, but could probably be found for less elsewhere. As skinless & boneless pilchards go, I've been more satisfied with the King Oscar and the Brunswick in terms of taste, packing, processing cleanness and price.
Main Takeaways
- Not the prettiest boneless skinless pilchards
- Dry and bland
- Competitors in price range do a better job
Brand: Cento Fine Foods, Inc.
Description: Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.375 oz.
Price Range: $3-4