Baked Sardines

Oven-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 fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
• Breadcrumbs
• 2 garlic cloves
• Fresh chopped 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 breadcrumb coating.
3. Grease a baking dish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Arrange the sardines in the baking dish, distributing them in a single layer.
5. Sprinkle the sardines with the prepared breadcrumb mixture, trying to cover them evenly.
6. Drizzle the sardines with a thread of extra virgin olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
7. Bake and cook for about 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
8. Remove the sardines from the oven and serve them hot, perhaps with an additional sprinkle of fresh parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges.

Trivia

Sardines are a fish highly appreciated in Mediterranean cuisines and lend themselves to multiple recipes. In Italy, especially in Sardinia and Sicily, sardines are the main ingredient of numerous traditional dishes, such as the famous “pasta with sardines”. The simplicity of oven baking enhances their flavor without covering it, making this dish light yet full of taste.