tomato Archives - Sardeenz!

Porthos Portuguese Sardines in Tomato Sauce

These Porthos Portuguese Sardines in Tomato Sauce came from International Loft. I've tried a few Porthos selections before, but wanted to see how these in plain tomato sauce were. The ones in hot tomato sauce weren't that hot (the sauce not the fish), so I'm hopeful these don't underdeliver.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Nice appearance, silvery belly-side up. Carefully packed, no torn-up skin. Only a few noticeable scales. The tomato sauce looks viscous enough, but has separated from the oil somewhat.

The aroma is of tomato and sardine, both fresh. A sip of the sauce/oil has a tomato-y brightness to it. No overcooked tomato flavor here.

Let's Eat

There are five fish total, and of a welcome size for my preference. They are firm and lift out of the tin virtually intact. There is a tablespoon or so of liquid left in the tin, and I whisked the oil and tomato back together before pouring most of it over the fish.

The fish are firm and meaty, resisting the pierce of the fork somewhat. They have a fresh sardine flavor, and are moist enough.

The tomato sauce has a fresh flavor, and I'm surprised to see it's nothing more than tomato, sunflower oil and salt.

The salt level is low, 230mg. sodium, but it didn't feel deficient.

Main Takeaways

Firm, meaty sardines
Nice 5 count size
Fresh tasting, minimal tomato sauce

At $6, I'd have no problem recommending these.

Brand: Conservas Portugal Norte / Porthos
Description: Sardines in tomato sauce
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.4 oz.
Price Range: $6

Nice Cans Sardines in Tomato and Peppers

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These Nice Cans Sardines in Tomato and Peppers came from Caputo's. They're a continuation of my journey in search of the best sardines in tomato. At $11, they weren't cheap, but I had been impressed by other Nice Cans cans in the past, so I hoped I wouldn't be disappointed.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

My first thought was, "Where's the tomato?" Or the pepper, for that matter. Other than a slight pink tint to the olive oil, it looked like a tin of regular sardines. They were decent looking, though, packed silver bellies up and not too torn up at all. No apparent scales, tails or fins.

The aroma, however, was subtly tangy. A sip of the oil didn't really disclose anything, though. I was expecting at least a slight hit of pepper heat, but it didn't occur.

Let's Dive In

Lifting the fish from the tin, they are tender, with a couple out of the four breaking in the middle.

Underneath were all the goodies. Bright red, roasted pepper and diced onion. I couldn't tell initially if some of the red was tomato or not. The remaining liquid and bits in the tin were poured over everything.

An initial taste of fish and some of the pepper had a brightness to it. I referred to the carton to find that the non-fish ingredients were primarily a pepperonata consisting of smoke-roasted peppers, onions, garlic, oregano, vinegar, tomato and sea salt.

The vinegar explained the brightness and tang, but what struck me most was how far down the list the tomato was. I ultimately realized that the lighter red pulp, most visible on the top fish above, was about the extent of the tomato. Perhaps these should be called "in peppers with tomato" instead of the other way around. Regardless, the whole thing worked really well, I thought.

Back to the fish, they are tender and meaty, not dry at all. Quality sardines, packed well. I thought the pepperonata served them nicely. Sodium is an average 360mg. Overall, nothing to complain about product-wise.

Main Takeaways

Tender, meaty pilchards
Tasty pepperonata
Tomato largely MIA, but not missed

I'd like to try these again, but I'm afraid the best one can do on the price is to buy them where I did. They are much cheaper on Nice Cans' own website, but if you try to order them there a pop-up says "Sorry, US resident, we only sell to you through Caputo's". Oh, well.

Brand: 100 Misterios / Nice Cans
Description: Sardines in tomato and peppers
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $11

JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in Tomato

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These JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines in Tomato came with a recent Caputo's order. I have experienced an increasing affinity for sardines in tomato-based sauces, after having avoided them for reasons of which I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, let's try these out.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

There appear to be seven fish total. The can is a shallower one, so what you see is what you get (almost). The aroma is subtle, just slightly that of fresh sardine and somewhat vegetal. A sip of the red-tinted oil (EVOO!) is similarly vegetal, but gives no real hints of the tomato. I see no scales or fins.

Time To Eat

I was able to remove them all from the can largely intact. Underneath, and a happy surprise, was the tomato sauce from which the oil had separated. All told, there were a couple of tablespoons of it all, which I distributed over the fish and rice.

Tasting the tomato component, I find it has a subtle seasoning. The ingredients list tomato pulp, EVOO, onion and garlic, an unnamed preparation comprised of white wine, sugar, white pepper and paprika, and salt.

The seasonings account for a very small percentage of the list, but the onion, garlic and some sweetness, either from the tomato or the sugar, are the most detectable. The salt level, listed at 360mg. sodium, didn't distract.

The fish are tender, but firm enough to divide into bites with a fork without mushiness. While eating, I thought a spicy tomato version might be well-received. On the other hand, the sauce was subtle enough (I won't call it bland) to let the taste of the fish shine through.

If any complaint, it would be that there were a couple of pieces of what looked like some kind of brown grass that were either on or in one of the fish. Nothing in the ingredient list to explain it, but definitely some kind of plant material.

Main Takeaways

Tender, tasty small sardines
Well-balanced, subtle sauce lets fish flavor shine

Brand: 100 Misterios / JOSÉ Gourmet
Description: Small Sardines in tomato
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.2 oz.
Price Range: $9

Maria Organic Sardines with Organic Tomatoes in EVOO

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I got these Maria Organic Sardines with Organic Tomatoes in EVOO during my first visit to a new local gourmet foods market of which I just became aware. I was encouraged by their initial inventory of non-supermarket variety tinned fish. Hopefully, their selection will expand even further.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 5/5.

The aroma is of fresh tomato. A sip of the oil is similar, except with a note of the sardines. Any notes from the EVOO itself were masked by the tomato. There appear to be four medium to large pilchards. The tomato consistency is that of crushed tomatoes. The flavor of it doesn't suggest anything in the way of seasonings, and the label confirms only tomatoes, EVOO and salt.

Time For Lunch

Out over rice, there are three medium size fish and one a bit larger than the rest. I see a few scales remaining in the sauce, but pour it all over the fish anyway. I didn't note any fins, but the sauce may have concealed them.

The tomatoes are thick and cling well to the fish, the intense red color indicative of their depth of flavor.

An initial bite is firm and meaty. There is no dryness to the mouthfeel, and the flavor of the fish is fresh.

I thought the salt balance was spot-on, adding just enough to serve both the fish and tomato sauce well. The impression of freshness of the sauce is a big plus, and its brightness of flavor complements the fish well. Thankfully, it doesn't taste over-cooked, as some tomato sauces do.

Main Takeaways

Meaty pilchards
Fresh, bright tasting tomato
Thick sauce clung well to the fish

A spicy tomato version of this tin would be a welcome addition to the Maria Organic offerings.

Brand: 100 Misterios / Maria Organic
Description: Sardines with organic tomatoes in EVOO
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Portugal
Source: FAO27, Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $8-9