Rare Italian Fish Dish: Fried sardines in a sweet and sour onion marinade

anchovies

🥗Healthier: mackerel

💰Cheaper: sardines

Mackerel is a healthier option with similar flavor, while sardines are more affordable.

white wine vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: red wine vinegar

Apple cider vinegar offers a similar tang with health benefits, while red wine vinegar is often less expensive.

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats, while sunflower seeds are budget-friendly.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: dried figs

Dried cranberries add a tart flavor, while figs are often cheaper.

Start by preparing the onions, using a wide pan over medium heat.

Add olive oil to the pan, then add a lot of onions, thinking in terms of a 2 to 1 ratio of onions to fish.

Season the onions with salt and stir, then add a couple of bay leaves.

Cover the pan and let the onions cook for about 20 minutes, checking every couple of minutes and adding water if they look dry.

Once the onions are soft and sweet, add white wine vinegar to the pan.

Add un-toasted pine nuts and plumped raisins (soaked in warm water for 15 minutes and drained) to the onions and stir.

Shut off the heat for the onions and set them aside while preparing the sardines.

Set up a fry station with flour seasoned with salt for the sardines.

Dip the sardines in the flour, shaking off the excess, and set them aside.

Heat oil in a wok over high heat to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fry about five or six sardines at a time to avoid crowding the pan, cooking for a couple of minutes on each side until done.

Remove the fried sardines and let them drain to remove excess oil.

In a casserole dish, layer the cooked onions on the bottom, followed by a layer of sardines, then more onions, and repeat with another layer of fish and onions.

Spoon remaining vinegar over the top of the assembled dish.

Although the dish can be eaten immediately, it is recommended to refrigerate it overnight for better flavor development.

Before serving, take the dish out of the fridge about an hour prior to serving to bring it to room temperature.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens