Portuguese Vintage Sardines in Olive Oil - 2019

Not all sardines are created equal. In the U.S., many "sardines" are actually brislings from Norway or North Atlantic herring. While they’re tasty in their own right, they don’t match the rich, full flavor of true pilchards like these exceptional Portuguese sardines from Zingerman’s. Unlike their Norwegian counterparts, these sardines are never smoked, so the clean, pure essence of the fish shines through. Aged since 2019, they’ve developed a deep, luxurious flavor that, like a fine wine, only improves with time.

Crack open a tin and you'll find four or five glistening silver sardines resting in olive oil, ready to be savored. Try them simply: on toasted bread with a drizzle of premium olive oil, a pinch of salt, fresh black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. They’re also delicious flaked into a crisp green salad, tossed with pasta and garlic, featured on an antipasti platter, or layered onto sourdough toast with avocado and a poached egg.