These Minerva Sardines in Tomato Sauce were part of a recent order from International Loft. Ever since I decided to reconsider my longtime avoidance of sardines in tomato sauce, I've been on a mission to find those I think are best. Let's see if these are the ones.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.
Looks like three big pilchards. I would have preferred smaller, like a 5 to 6 count. The tomato sauce looks relatively homogenous, and has a bright tomato-ey color. The aroma is similar, vegetal. A sip of it has a reasonably fresh tomato flavor, and I note the only ingredients are water, tomato, olive oil and salt.
Let's Eat
They pulled from the tin fairly easily, giving only the slightest hint that they wanted to fall apart. As noted there are three, plus some extra pieces parts for some unknown reason.
The sauce remaining in the can was relatively unbroken, so I poured the majority directly over the fish and rice. It's reasonably thick, and clings well to the fish.
The fish are tender enough, and not at all what I would consider dry. No tails, no scales, no fins. All good. Meaty Portugese pilchards.
Sodium is listed as 600mg., a little above average, but they don't taste that salty.
75% of the way through, I was finding the sauce a little bland and boring, so I tried a few drops of Texas Pete Hot Sauce on the rest. It made an improvement.
Main Takeaways
- Tender, meaty fish
- Not dry
- Tomato sauce a little bland
All in all, I'm not disappointed in having tried these. They're not the holy grail of sardines in tomato sauce by any means, but they weren't bad at all. I just wish they'd been smaller fish. Can't have everything, I suppose.
Brand: A Poveira/MInerva
Description: Sardines in tomato sauce
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.25 oz.
Price Range: $6