Pacific sardines

Recipe: Sardine BLTs with Herbs and Lemon


How to:  Clean and filet sardines


Taste: Rich, strong, and slightly minerally; great for grilling whole.

Source: Pacific Ocean, Baja California to Monterey Bay and north to southeast Alaska.

Eco factor: Sardines are caught with little impact on the surrounding habitat and almost no unintentional harvest of other species. Full of omega-3 fatty acids, phosphorus, and iron; no pollutants.

How to choose and prepare: Sardines are sold fresh and whole. Look for fish that have bright eyes, shiny skin, and a mildly fishy aroma. Plan to cook them within a day of purchase. If your fishmonger doesn't sell sardines already cleaned, it's easy to do yourself.