Sardinhas assadas
Sardinhas assadas: Lisbon festival sardines grilled over charcoal and eaten on bread
In June the steep lanes of Alfama and Mouraria fill with smoke during the Santos Populares, Lisbon's street festivals for Saint Anthony, and almost every grill is loaded with sardines. They are salted, grilled whole over charcoal until the skin blisters, and laid on a thick slice of country bread that soaks up their juices. Add roasted green peppers and a salad of tomato and onion, and that is the whole feast. Chef's tip: salt the sardines with coarse salt 30 minutes before grilling and keep them chilled; the salt firms the skin so it doesn't stick to the grill.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the sardines
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Choose 2 ¼ lb fresh whole sardines with bright eyes, shiny skin and a fresh sea smell. Rinse, pat dry and toss with 2 tbsp coarse sea salt. Put back in the fridge for 30 minutes (this can be the fridge time while the charcoal heats).
30 minStep 2: Light a charcoal barbecue and wait until the coals are covered in grey ash, or heat a grill pan until very hot. Brush the grill bars and the fish lightly with 2 tbsp olive oil.
5 minStep 3: Grill 2 green peppers whole for 10 minutes, turning, until blackened and soft. Meanwhile toss 3 tomatoes and 1 red onion with 1 tbsp red wine vinegar and a pinch of salt.
10 minStep 4: Grill the sardines for 3–4 minutes per side without moving them, until the skin is crisp and charred in places. A common mistake is turning them too early, which tears the skin; they release by themselves when ready.
8 minStep 5: Check one at the thickest point near the head: the flesh should be opaque all the way to the bone and lift away easily. Lay the sardines on 4 thick slices rustic bread (broa or country loaf) and serve straight away with the peppers, the salad and 1 lemon.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 430 kcal
- Protein
- 34 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sardinhas assadas take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
- What can I use instead of red onion?
- White onion or shallots, same amount (soak raw onion in cold water for 10 minutes to soften it).
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