These Season Sardines in 100% Olive Oil were found at Aldi, where they were priced at $2.49. Usually, their sardine offerings have been limited to a rotating selection of Northern Catch (house brand) that at times has been herring, other times pilchards, and yet other times sprats. Hard to be a loyal sardine customer there. So, these were a potentially welcome surprise.
Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.
Not the prettiest can of fish. Skin a little roughed up and I see a tail, unusual for pilchards from Morocco. There's a bit of a fishy aroma, stronger than I'm accustomed to or would prefer. But not like spoilage. A sip of the oil is unrevealing. There's also a version marked "in extra virgin olive oil" with a different UPC.
Let's Eat
These are big, but not too big. There are five total. I lifted them out of the can rather than dump. I've been increasingly diligent about observing net weight vs. drained weight calories with tinned fish packed in oil.
There's quite a bit of oil left in the tin. The carton lists 250 calories drained weight, but the net content is 39gm. higher, and that's all oil. If it's not going to contribute to flavor, then all it's adding is fat calories at the rate of 133 per tablespoon (15gm.). So dumping it all here would turn 250 calories into 596 calories.
If I'm going to add that much in saturated fat, it's going to be something that spices things up, like a chili oil. To that end, I only poured about a tablespoon of the remaining oil over the fish and rice.
The fishy aroma has dissipated somewhat. The meat yields easily to the pierce of a fork, but it's not mushy. On the palate, they're a bit dry and a little mealy. The salt level is listed as 340mg. but it tastes far lower, leaving things bland as well.
I have a second can that I am now not in any hurry to open. But when I do, I'll have the chili crisp ready.
Main Takeaways
- Not the prettiest fish
- Fishy aroma
- A little dry, mealy, bland
- Needed salt
Brand: Season Brand, LLC
Description: Sardines in 100% Olive Oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.375 oz.
Price Range: $3