Espetos is a Spanish tradition of grilling sardines, dating back to the late 19th century, when fishermen skewered and grilled surplus fish in small boats on the sand. The modern method usually involves placing 6 sardines on a skewer, seasoning them with sea salt, then grilling them over the open flames of an olive wood fire. Once the sardines are fully cooked and become golden on the outside, they are drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. It's said that the sardines are best from May to August, when they are a bit fattier, which increases their great flavor. In many beach bars of Malaga, espetos are paired with soft drinks, beer, sangria, or Tinto de verano red wine.
Bigoli in salsa is a pasta dish from Venice, consisting of thick, whole wheat noodles tossed in a savory, umami-rich sauce made from slowly cooked onions and dissolved anchovies. It is one of the city's emblematic dishes, although beloved variations can be found throughout the Veneto region. The dish relies on the unique qualities of bigoli, a traditional Venetian pasta that is a bit thicker than spaghetti. Made with whole-wheat flour, it has a distinctly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the bold taste of anchovies. The magic of bigoli lies in its rough texture, which allows the sauce to be absorbed much more easily. This texture is achieved by forcing the dense dough through a special hand-cranked bronze press called a bigolaro, which dates back to 1604. The sauce itself is a masterclass in culinary minimalism, where thinly sliced onions are sweated down slowly in high-quality olive oil until meltingly soft, before the anchovies—or sometimes traditional, sharp-tasting salt-cured sardines known as sarde—are added. With gentle heat, the fish completely dissolves into the onions, often emulsified with a splash of dry white wine or starchy pasta water to create a creamy paste that coats every rough strand without a drop of dairy. Every local seems to have their own way of making the dish, and some cooks also add pine nuts and raisins to the sauce. This sweet, sour, and salty flavor profile serves as a culinary nod to the Venetian period of the Renaissance, an era when the Venetian Republic controlled the spice trade, and exotic ingredients like raisins and pine nuts first reached Venice's ports. Historically, Bigoli in salsa originated as a religious necessity and was originally consumed as a lean, meatless meal on fasting days such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, or Christmas Eve. Over the years, it evolved into a dish best consumed the night before a big feast; the combination of dense wheat pasta and rich olive oil is substantial and highly satisfying, yet light enough to leave some room for the heavy, meat-laden feasts of the following day. To cut through the fish's saltiness and the oil's richness, locals often pair it with a crisp, high-acid white wine native to the Veneto region, such as a chilled Soave or Garganega.
This classic Sicilian dish employs butterflied sardines that are stuffed with a mixture of toasted breadcrumbs, parsley, anchovies, pine nuts, and raisins, with the occasional addition of grated parmesan. Stuffed sardines can be formed into individual rolls that are skewered, occasionally alongside bay leaves, then drizzled with lemon juice and shortly baked or grilled. Another technique employs two fillets that are sandwiched with the filling, and the whole combination is usually deep-fried. These flavorful sardines can be enjoyed as a main meal, but they also make for an excellent and filling appetizer. Sarde a beccafico are found throughout Sicily and are best enjoyed freshly prepared at the colorful Sicilian open markets.
Grilled sardines are a simple, traditional seafood dish especially common in coastal Mediterranean areas and during summer months, when fresh sardines are plentiful. The dish is straightforward and emphasizes the natural flavors of the sardines: they are typically marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt (although a variety of spices and herbs can also be added, depending on the region) before being grilled over a charcoal fire. The dish is usually served as an appetizer or a part of a meze, along with bread, boiled potatoes, sautéed vegetables, or salads, and is best paired with lighter, sweeter local white wines.
One of Sicilian favorites, this seemingly simple pasta dish of supposedly Arabic origins is an amazing combination of flavors and textures, and represents a perfect example of Sicily’s diverse culinary heritage. The sauce for pasta chî sàrdi is delicately flavored with saffron and made with the freshest possible sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts, and sultanas. As for the pasta itself, bucatini are the classic choice, but some prefer a thicker type of pasta like bigoli or perciatelli. Pasta with sardines is often associated with Palermo, although it is found all across the island in its many regional varieties. However, the dish should only be consumed between March and September, when wild fennel is in season.
Iwashi nigiri sushi is a traditional type of nigiri sushi. It consists of hand-pressed sushi rice that's topped with slices of sardines. The dish has a very fishy flavor and a texture that can be somewhat tough. The aromas are pungent, even when the sardines are extremely fresh. Traditionally, this type of sushi is eaten by hand in a single bite. It's usually accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, or pickled ginger (gari) on the side.
One of Venice's most traditional dishes, this delicious appetizer of marinated sardines originated among the fishermen and seafarers of La Serenissima as a way to preserve fish during their long voyages. Sarde in saor are made by frying fresh sardines and then marinating them either in white wine or vinegar with softly cooked onions, pine nuts, and raisins. The dish is preferably prepared the day before serving, and it can keep well over the course of a week. In Venice, this ultimate antipasto agrodolce is found on every corner and is typically served alongside grilled polenta.
Pinangat is a popular Filipino stew that is prepared in two main versions. The sour version is prepared with fish, bilimbi, tamarind, and vinegar, while the Bicol region version is prepared with coconut milk, taro leaves, hot chili peppers, and fish (sardines, catfish, or tuna). Bicol region is abundant with taro leaves, so it is unsurprising that taro is a key ingredient in many Bicolano delicacies. Pinangat is served with a variety of toppings, and is usually ladled over rice. Cooking the dish is an easy process that only requires combining all of the ingredients and cooking them together, which is one of the main reasons for its popularity. The name laing is a Manila term for Bicol's pinangat, and the Manila version traditionally uses pork and spices.
Moroccan stuffed sardines or sardine mzeouej (married sardines) is a traditional fish dish. The dish is usually made by butterflying sardine fillets and stuffing them with chermoula, a concoction made with a combination of garlic, paprika, hot peppers, cumin, salt, olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, and coriander. The sardines are rubbed with chermoula, coated with flour, and fried in hot oil on both sides. Once done, the fried stuffed sardines are served warm or at room temperature, often accompanied by lemon wedges, harissa, or fresh salads based on tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. The dish is also very popular as a street food item, especially in coastal areas.
Chiftele de pește are Romanian meatballs made with fish instead of meat. The fish balls are typically prepared with a mixture of minced, boneless fish fillets, slices of bread soaked in milk, onions, garlic, and eggs, seasoned with chopped parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. The fish mixture is shaped into balls or patties, which are rolled in flour or breadcrumbs, and then fried in hot oil. Soft and crispy, these fish balls can be served with a sauce based on garlic and cream on the side. They are usually consumed as snacks or appetizers, but they can also be added to sandwiches. The fish balls can also be served as a main course, accompanied by pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes on the side.
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