Eritrean-style Pickled Sardines

Ingredients

In the Eritrean adaptation of "Sarde in saor," we incorporate Eritrean spices and flavors to give the dish a distinct taste. While the Italian version traditionally uses sweet and sour flavors, our Eritrean-style Pickled Sardines have a more pronounced tanginess and spiciness. We also add Eritrean spices such as berbere and mitmita to give the dish a unique flavor profile that reflects the culinary traditions of Eritrea. We alse have the original recipe for Sarde in saor, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted 500g (1.1 lb) fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon berbere spice 1 teaspoon berbere spice
• 1 teaspoon mitmita spice 1 teaspoon mitmita spice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 15g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 8g (Sugars: 3g)
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the sliced onions, minced garlic, berbere spice, mitmita spice, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion mixture and sauté until the onions are caramelized and golden brown.
3. 3.
   Meanwhile, rinse the sardines under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
4. 4.
   Once the onions are caramelized, add the white vinegar to the pan and bring it to a simmer.
5. 5.
   Carefully place the sardines on top of the onion mixture in a single layer. Cover the pan and let the sardines cook for 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Flip the sardines gently and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
7. 7.
   Remove the pan from heat and let the sardines cool to room temperature.
8. 8.
   Transfer the sardines and the onion mixture to a glass jar or airtight container. Make sure the sardines are fully submerged in the pickling liquid.
9. 9.
   Seal the jar or container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.
10. 10.
    Serve the Eritrean-style Pickled Sardines chilled as an appetizer or as part of a traditional Eritrean meal.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sardines — Ensure that the sardines are fresh and properly cleaned before using them in the recipe. If fresh sardines are not available, you can use canned sardines packed in water as a substitute.
• Berbere spice — If you cannot find berbere spice, you can make your own by combining chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, ground coriander, ground cardamom, ground fenugreek, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice.
• Mitmita spice — Mitmita spice is a traditional Eritrean spice blend that is known for its spiciness. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of mitmita spice or omit it altogether.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a few slices of fresh chili pepper to the pickling liquid.
• Serve the Eritrean-style Pickled Sardines with injera, a traditional Eritrean flatbread, for an authentic Eritrean dining experience.
• If you prefer a milder taste, you can rinse the sardines with cold water before cooking them to reduce the fishy flavor.
• The longer you let the sardines pickle, the more flavorful they will become. Consider letting them marinate for up to 48 hours for a stronger taste.
• If you don't have access to fresh sardines, you can use other small fish such as mackerel or anchovies as a substitute.

Serving advice

Serve the Eritrean-style Pickled Sardines as an appetizer or as part of a traditional Eritrean meal. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with injera, bread, or crackers. Garnish with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Eritrean-style Pickled Sardines on a platter, making sure to display the caramelized onions and vibrant sardines. Drizzle some of the pickling liquid over the top for added flavor and visual appeal. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with injera or bread on the side.