From our favorite Spanish tuna producers, Ortiz, Sardinas a la Antigua are cleaned by hand, fried and then hand-packed in olive oil. The result is succulent, meaty pieces of fish that take on the richness from the olive oil. The olive oil also mellows the sardines’ inherently strong flavor creating a buttery, delicate flavor with hints of the salty Bay of Biscay from which they came.

Sardinas a la Antiqua are ideal for a quick meal. Add them to a salad of watercress, cucumber and tomatoes for a lovely light lunch.  For an easy appetizer, toss pieces with a squeeze of lemon and chopped parsley and let them marinate for a half hour. Rest them on a piece of grilled bread and drizzle with olive oil.

Not only are sardines tasty, but they also packed with health benefits. Sardines are an excellent source of protein, they are high in omega-3 fatty acids that can help prevent heart disease and are rich in vitamins B12 and D. Sardines are also low in mercury because their diet consists mainly of plants.