Portuguese Vintage Sardines in Olive Oil - 2020

In the United States, "sardines" can mean a lot of things — often small fish like Norwegian brislings or North Atlantic herring. While perfectly good, they can’t compare to the rich, authentic flavor of true pilchards, like these Portuguese sardines from Zingerman’s. These are never smoked, letting the natural, clean flavor of the fish take center stage. Thanks to careful aging since 2020, they offer a depth and richness of flavor that’s as refined as a beautifully aged wine.

Inside each tin, you’ll find four or five pristine silver sardines bathed in fine olive oil, just waiting to be enjoyed. For a simple preparation, serve them atop toasted bread, finished with excellent olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, cracked black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. You can also flake them into salads, toss them into spaghetti with garlic and chili flakes, arrange them on an antipasti platter, or pair them with avocado and a poached egg on crusty sourdough.