Typical Italian Food - Sarde a Beccafico

by: Amanda

If you like fresh sardines you will love this recipe. It is super simple and very delicious a true Sicilian dish.

What you will need:

1 lb fresh sardines or anchovies

1/2 cup bread crumbs

4 anchovy fillets (optional for a less salty version)

zest and juice of one lemon

1 tsp sugar

chopped parsley

3 tbs raisins (soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes)

3 tbs pine nuts

bay leaves cut in half to use in-between each sardine

salt and pepper to taste

EVOO

Preheat oven to 375°F 

Clean the sardines removing the head, bones, and guts. Place on a plate until ready to stuff.

In a frying pan add a tbs of EVOO warm up then add anchovies, the bread crumbs and cook until fragrant. Turn off the heat, then add lemon juice, zest, sugar, parsley, raisins, pine nuts and salt and pepper. Stir around a bit, if the stuffing is too dry you can add a touch of water or white wine until it is moist and the ingredients stick together. Think of a meatless meatball consistency. 

Take an oven dish pan and coat the bottom with EVOO. 

Once the filling is ready, take your sardine add one tablespoon of filling to the center and roll like a cannelloni. Add you're filled sardine to the pan and place a half of bayleaf on its side to separate from the next sardine. Do this until the pan is full and you have finished your sardines. 

Then pop them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes and serve. You can drizzle some EVOO on top for an extra finish. 

Buon Appetito!

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