Almost all sardines are beheaded, de-finned, and gutted before they are canned. Frequently this is done with a visible slice along the belly of the fish, but sometimes the organs are instead extracted through the neck.
Yup, There's Still Guts In There
Most people who eat canned sardines just plop the suckers on some crackers or pizza as is because the cooking/steaming process at most canneries softens the bones to the point where they're edible.
As soon as they return from the boats, the fresh sardines are scaled, gutted and then pre-cooked in oil or steam. They are then manually placed in their cans after being selected. The cans are then filled with quality olive oil and crimped before being sealed.
When most sardines are canned, the entire fish is included, bones, organs and all! Though this may sound unappealing, the cooking process softens the bones, making whole sardines easy to eat.
Canned sardines
At the cannery, the fish are washed, their heads are removed, and the fish are then smoked or cooked, either by deep-frying or by steam-cooking, after which they are dried. They are then packed in either olive, sunflower, or soybean oil, water, or in a tomato, chili, or mustard sauce.
Sardines can be descaled, gutted and grilled simply, as in Nathan Outlaw's recipe. Sardine bones are so small that you can eat them without too much worry. Robert Thompson and Shaun Hill advise butterflying the sardines to remove the backbone and fine bones from the flesh for a more refined finish.
Drain the oil out of the can.
Sometimes a recipe will tell you to use the oil straight from the sardine can– and I regularly use the canned oil in my cooking. However, keep in mind that the oil from the can will taste fishier than fresh oil.
Sardines are canned by one of two methods; Mediterranean or Norwegian. In the Norwegian method the sardines are held alive until their guts are empty. They are then smoked before being beheaded. In the Mediterranean method they are beheaded and gutted.
Because sardines contain purines, which break down into uric acid, they aren't a good choice for those at risk of kidney stone formation. The high sodium in sardines can also increase calcium in your urine, which is another risk factor for kidney stones.
Fish such as sardines, pilchards and herring are delicious to eat whole, but not everyone likes all the small bones – although they are edible.
However, tinned sardines and tuna do offer a variety of health benefits, including omega 3 fatty acids. Canned food is unlikely to be a cause of cancer when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
Sardines with bones and skin are delicious, too, and they look awesome on top of a salad or platter. P.S. The bones and skin are both edible. Those tiny bones deliver calcium too!
Intestine. Similar to the preparation of the stomach, fish intestines require at least a seven-day brine to rid the product of impurities. Once steamed and sliced, the fish intestine has the look and texture of pasta. Toss that with any 'pasta' friendly dishes, and you have a one of a kind delicacy.
Grilling canned sardines is the perfect way to bring them to life, add some flavour, and give them a little more dignity if the whole 'canned' thing turns you off. Yes, they're already cooked so you just reheat them and give them a little charred edge.
The FDA recommends a weekly intake of two to three servings of sardines, or 8 to 12 ounces for adults and 4 to 6 ounces for children age 4 to 7. The FDA recognizes the health benefits of eating fish, especially for pregnant people and young children. Pregnant people can eat up to 12 ounces per week.
Sardines are high in protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids (associated with heart health benefits), and filled with certain important vitamins (especially D and B12) and minerals (such as calcium). However, sardines packed in oil are high in sodium and cholesterol, so daily consumption of them is not advisable.
Still, tuna is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamins B and A. This fish is also a good source of iron, phosphorous, and selenium. Sardines do not have a lot of mercury in them, so they're healthier in that regard. They mostly survive on plankton.
The fully processed products include canned tuna, salmon, shrimp, crab, sardines, and other fish, fish balls, and so on. The heating process applied to these products is designed to destroy pathogenic bacteria and normal numbers of other organisms.
Yes, that is sardine roe. In Portugal it is considered a delicacy on a par with caviar.
The white specs are not colonies of bacteria, but in fact, crystallized oils. This phenomena is common in many tinned fish rich in fatty oils. This is normal and completely safe to eat. If it bothers you too much, you can try reheating it, which should dissolve the crystallized oils back into the sauce.
The Best Canned Sardines are from Portugal
It's a versatile and simple ingredient. Try it straight from the can, as a salad topping, or on a slice of bread. Sardines are also good for your health and can be enjoyed in picnics with some Portuguese wine or even served in gourmet restaurants.
Almost all sardines are beheaded, de-finned, and gutted before they are canned. Frequently this is done with a visible slice along the belly of the fish, but sometimes the organs are instead extracted through the neck.
Water-packed sardines just won't have the same rich flavor and can taste a bit water-logged. Oil, however, locks in the fish's flavor and keeps each sardine super-moist. Opt for olive oil, rather than other oils, as its savory characteristics really complement the sardines.
Do I have to gut sardines? If you are cooking them whole as in the photo, you do not need to gut them. Just rub off the scales with a cloth or paper towel, then wash and pat dry. If they are not too big, you can eat everything; otherwise, they come off the bone easily once cooked.