Skinless and boneless sardines in Olive oil
If you are puzzled as to why a tin of fish can be a delicacy this is the evidence.
Minerva have been around since 1942. They are owned by the Portuguese Cannery A Poveira. A Poveira is one of the oldest canned fish factories in Portugal, located in the town of Póvoa de Varzim on the Atlantic coast.
They have a sustainability policy with Ecolabel MSC – Marine Stewardship Council, certification that ensures the use of products of environ- tally sustainable fishing and use fully recyclable packaging.
The La Gondola sardines are caught on day boats, fishing the Atlantic shoreline of Portugual, during the season. They are then skinned and boned by hand for perfect fillets, before being packaged by experienced canners in olive oil.
The packaging is attractive with outer wrapper and an unmarked silver tin inside.
On opening the sardines are neatly packed in a clear gold olive oil.
The fish are equally sized and packed vertically, the slit where the spine has been removed clearly visible.
The texture is firm and the dish despite being boned and skinned are in amazing shape.
The smell is mild and not fishy.
Mouthfeel is excellent with a firm yet confit texture.
Flavour is very clean and pure. The oil is mild. There is none of the strong flavour that you get with whole sardines – these are more reminiscent of quality ventresca tuna (but better in my humble opinion).
These are a gourmet product. They have been handled and processed with skill and care.
Overall : this is a tin that I could eat over and over again. Perfect as a dish with toasted bread and some pickles on the side. Ive not used for cooking but i suspect would be good with pasta.
9/10
Available online in the UK at around £2.50 a tin.
Survival Rations 