Last updated: 1 October, 2024 @ 11:42
The simple things in life often bring the most pleasure, and when it comes to cooking fish, sardines are one of the easiest – and most delicious.
Sardines arrive in waters off the southwest of the United Kingdom from mid-to-late July (sometimes arriving earlier), conveniently coinciding with the start of summer and barbecue season.
By August, they are readily available at your local fishmonger.
How to buy sardines
As with all fish, when it comes to buying sardines it’s very much a case of using your senses:
Eyes: Look for bright eyes and shiny, silver skin.
Touch: The fish should feel firm, with no signs of sagging, especially around the belly.
Nose: Fresh sardines should smell of nothing other than the sea.
How to prepare sardines
Preparing sardines is easy. In fact, so easy, that as our guide to sardines notes, true aficionados don’t even bother with the gutting bit.
If, like us, you’re not so keen on that, and wish to serve your sardines whole, then simply remove the scales, gut the fish, remove the gills, and then rinse and dry.
Alternatively, round fish tend to be the easiest to fillet, making sardines ideal for a whole host of dishes, from Catalan-style sardines to sardine escabeche.
Duncan, from Passionate About Fish, demonstrates a few methods of preparing sardines in this great YouTube clip.
How to cook sardines
Sardines are a versatile fish, and can be cooked in many different and delicious ways.
Our favourite method is to barbecue them whole over hot coals Portuguese-style.
If you haven’t access to hot coals or a barbecue, then a hot grill is the next best thing.
Our recipe for Portuguese-style Grilled Sardines with Homemade Mayonnaise is super easy, and super wonderful.
Sardine superstars
Sardines are not only easy to prepare and delicious to eat, but they’re also good for you – with the NHS highlighting the health benefits of eating the fish, including being high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Enjoy sardines this August!