Grilled Sardines Portuguese Style

Photo: Ruth

Ingredients

8 medium-sized fresh sardines (or frozen, thawed thoroughly)

1/2 handful coarse sea salt

2 large potatoes, like russets

2 green bell peppers

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus ¼ cup

1/8 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Salt and white pepper

1 Large tomato

Some slices of Cucumber, optional

Preparation

Scale and gut the sardines (you can have your fishmonger do this).

Wash the sardines under cold, running water and pat dry with paper towels.

Lightly salt the sardines with coarse sea salt and refrigerate.

Meanwhile, boil 2 potatoes until a knife is easily inserted. Drain and cool.

Roast 2 green bell peppers over an open flame until charred. Place in a bowl and cover it with plastic to allow it to steam for approximately 20 minutes.

Remove the plastic and peel and seed the peppers.

Cut peppers into 3-inch wide strips and combine in bowl with 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/8 cup white wine vinegar, onion, and garlic.

Add tomato (sliced) , onion (sliced) and cucumber. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Preheat a grill or barbecue.

Place the sardines on a hot grill

When the sardines are done on first side

Place 4 sardines on each plate with 2 potato halves and some green pepper salad.

For decoration and extra flavour, drizzle with remaining olive oil.

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About

The weather is gorgeous here in the UK at the moment!!
It's barbecue time!
Most people go for the traditional sausages, hamburgers, chicken thighs and legs. And if you're lucky, salmon!

To me, real barbecues mean the smell of fresh fish and good quality meats.
Ultimately, I starting missing Portuguese Sardines.
They are the most traditional, most delicious barbecued fish you could wish for in Portugal (not that I'm biased )
Sardines play an important role in Portuguese culture. Having been a people who depended heavily on the sea for food and commerce, the Portuguese have a predilection for fish in their popular festivities. The most important is Saint Anthony's day, 13th June, when the biggest popular festival takes place in Lisbon, taking the people to the streets where grilled sardines are the snack of choice. Almost every place in Portugal, from Figueira da Foz to Portalegre, or from Póvoa de Varzim to Olhão has the summertime popular tradition of eating grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas).