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Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Oil & Hot Peppers

I got these Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Oil & Hot Peppers at the same time as the previously reviewed tin with olive oil and hot peppers. These cost about 50 cents less, but are packed in sunflower oil. I was curious to see if the difference was worth it.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

A comparison of these and the others in olive oil places these on top visually. They are less ragged, and look a little larger. I note some scales here, though.

The oil is less red in color. The aroma is about the same, just subtly of fresh sardine. A sip of the oil does not knock me back like the other can did.

Let's Eat

There are only five fish this time, as compared to six for the olive oil version.

Three peppers this time instead of two, but they haven't delivered the heat level of the other can. There were a couple tablespoons-worth of oil left in the can, and I poured about half over everything.

The fish are meaty and tender, but the texture seems a little mealier than the olive oil version. And, although the carton lists the same 440mg. sodium, they taste far less salty than the other.

I ate three as-is, but then spiced up the rest with some Mishima Chef Troy's Recipe Crunchy Chili Garlic Sauce, a new one I recently picked up. I find it to be a well-balanced taberu rayu-style chili crisp, with equal parts garlic, onion, salt and sweet, plus a nutty crunch from the garlic and sesame.

Main Takeaways

Tender and meaty sardine, if not a tad mealy
Not as satisfyingly hot/spicy as olive oil version tried previously
Salt level lacking

I think I'd have to chalk the differences between these and the olive oil version up to just variance from can to can. Admittedly, basing judgement off of only one can of each isn't enough of a representative sample to be relied upon. Each had strengths and weaknesses the other lacked. But I think I'm more likely to try another can of the olive oil-packed version, all things considered.

Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines with sunflower 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

Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Olive Oil & Hot Peppers

DeenLeave a comment

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

Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Tomato Sauce & Hot Peppers

DeenLeave a comment

These Sultan Moroccan Sardines with Tomato Sauce & Hot Peppers sounded appetizing. I'd had mixed results with similar ones before. This brand came to my attention as a "recommended" product on Amazon. I assume the algorithm has noticed by now that I search for tinned fish on there frequently. They were on sale for $5, so I gave them a shot.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

I was slightly concerned they might be old stock, but the can indicates they were packed in the last six months, and with an expiration date of 2029.

Some sizeable fish, packed in there tightly. Looks like three, but this is one of those deep cans, so there's more than meets the eye. No apparent scales, and the skin is reasonably intact.

No aroma to speak of, neither fish nor sauce. A sip of the sauce is brightly tomato-y, but no heat at all. The ingredients don't list anything seasoning the sauce other than the alleged chili pepper.

Let's Dig In

I was able to extract them all fairly intact. There were six in total, a generous portion. I poured the rest of the sauce from the can over everything. There was no physical pepper in the bottom.

Trying just a bite of fish with a glop of the tomato sauce, but still getting no heat. I found the meat tender and with a good sardine flavor. The salt level is good, an average 310mg. I've had good experiences with Moroccan sardines before, and this one added another one.

Half a can in, I still couldn't help thinking the tomato sauce was far more bland than promised. A few dashes of Valentina did the trick. It had just enough heat to kick up the tomato sauce with a subtle amount of heat, while at the same time not masking the flavor of the fish.

Main Takeaways

Nice meaty, tender fish
Generous portion
Bland sauce, but nothing a little hot sauce couldn't fix

Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines in tomato sauce & hot pepper
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $5