Baked Sardines

Baked sardines are a simple and tasty dish, ideal for those who love the flavor of the sea. Here’s how to prepare them with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
• Breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, finely chopped garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well to obtain a flavored breading.
3. Grease a baking dish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Arrange the sardines in the dish, spreading them out in a single layer.
5. Sprinkle the sardines with the prepared breading, trying to cover them evenly.
6. Drizzle the sardines with a stream of extra virgin olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
7. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
8. Remove the sardines from the oven and serve hot, perhaps with an additional sprinkle of fresh parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges.

Curiosity

Sardines are a fish very much appreciated in Mediterranean cuisines and lend themselves to multiple recipes. In Italy, especially in Sardinia and Sicily, sardines are the main ingredient in numerous traditional dishes, such as the famous “pasta con le sarde”. The simplicity of baking them enhances their flavor without covering it up, making this dish light but at the same time rich in taste.