Pickled Sardines

Ingredients

• 600 g fresh sardine fillets (ready to cook)
• 1 onion (coarsely chopped)
• 1 carrot (peeled and finely diced)
• 1 sage leaf
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• 250 ml dry white wine
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• Salt
• 250 g pickled paprika strips (from jar)
• 1 bunch parsley (finely chopped)
• 2 tsp fennel seeds
• 125 ml olive oil

Instructions

1. 1.

   Simmer carrot, onion, sage, peppercorns, 250 ml water, lemon juice, and wine for about 10 minutes, season with salt, remove from heat, then let the fish soak in the spice liquid for about 2 minutes. Remove and cool; take out sardines and place them in a shallow bowl.

2. 2.

   Mix oil with fennel and pour over the sardines, letting it steep for about 4 hours while turning occasionally. Arrange on a shallow dish for serving, decorate with paprika strips, and sprinkle lemon zest.