These Pollastrini Sardines in Tomato Sauce came from International Loft. I've tried a couple of Pollastrini selections before, and this tin was one of a few unfamiliar ones from them that I ordered during a recent sale.
Before I even opened the tin, I was a bit confused. Pollastrini is an Italian brand, reportedly one of, if not the last remaining producers of Mediterranean sardines. What struck me as odd was the label applied by the US importer, which had a cannery code indicating product of Croatia. Also perplexing was the ingredient list on the applied label contradicted the ingredients underneath it on the tin itself. This gave me pause, as the tin listing includes olive oil, celery and spices whereas the label specified sunflower oil, potato starch and sugar.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.
The initial aroma is of tomato. The sauce looks homogenous, the oil not having separated as is often the case. A sip of it has a certain brightness to it. The fish themselves are mostly intact with little roughed up skin. The "bars" across them must be some artifact of the canning process.
The tin is 3.5 oz, a little light as compared to the average. But although shallower, it is also wider than normal, and in this case capable of accommodating six fish.
Time To Eat
The fish are firm, and come out of the can intact. There are a few scales, but no tails or fins. They are mostly uniform in size with one larger exception.
I poured most of the sauce remaining in the tin over everything. In a bit of a departure from normal, I'm using a brown and wild rice combo instead of my usual basmati. The sauce is nothing special, but at least does not have an overcooked taste.
Digging in, the meat is firm, with no dryness on the palate. They have a good, fresh flavor. Mediterranean sardines sometimes have a different mouthfeel from those harvested from other regions. I have seen elsewhere the texture of the fish in this same tin referred to as anchovy-like. Having recently tried the Patagonia Provisions Spicy White Anchovies, I can see where that impression comes from.
I found the salt level acceptable. Depending on whether you go by the tin or by the applied label, sodium is either a moderately high 620mg. or a moderately low 240mg. My impression is of the latter.
Main Takeaways
- Fresh-tasting, meaty sardines
- Smaller net weight than average, but six fish a plus
- Tomato sauce just OK
Brand: Pollastrini
Description: Sardines in tomato sauce
Species: Clupea pilchardus (Sardina pilchardus)
Country of Origin: Italy/Croatia
Source: FAO37, Mediterranean Sea
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.5 oz.
Price Range: $6