Fried Sardines

17/11/2023

Fried sardines are a simple and tasty dish, particularly appreciated in the Italian coastal regions. Here’s how to prepare them in the Italian way.

Ingredients

500 g of fresh sardines
Flour as needed
Olive oil (for frying)
Salt
Lemon juice (optional)

Preparation

Clean the sardines by removing the head, innards, and central bone. Rinse them under running water and dry them with paper towels.
Sprinkle the sardines with a bit of salt.
Coat the sardines in flour, ensuring that it adheres well and shaking off any excess gently.
Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a wide frying pan. The oil is ready when it reaches a temperature of about 175-180 °C, or when a toothpick inserted into the oil produces small bubbles.
Fry the sardines in the hot oil until they become golden and crispy, turning them once for even cooking. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side.
Remove the sardines from the oil and place them on plates lined with paper towels to remove the excess oil.
(Optional) Serve the sardines hot, with a sprinkle of fresh lemon juice to enhance their flavor.

Curiosity

Sardines are bluefish, very common in the Mediterranean and particularly rich in Omega-3. They have been a staple food for coastal populations for centuries and are used in a variety of traditional Italian recipes, from the famous Venetian “sarde in saor” to Sicilian “sardine a beccafico”. Frying them is one of the simplest and quickest ways to enjoy them.

Enjoy your meal!