Sardine Balls

Ingredients

• 1 Garlic clove
• 2 anchovy fillets (in oil)
• 1 handful parsley
• 500 g small sardines
• 70 g bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp grated pecorino
• 1 egg
• Salt
• Pepper (freshly ground)
• 0.5 tsp lemon zest
• vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

1. 1.

   Peel the garlic and finely chop it together with the drained anchovy fillets. Rinse the parsley, shake dry, pluck the leaves and finely chop them.

2. 2.

   Wash the fish and remove the heads. Cut along the belly and extract the central spine, then wash well and pat dry. Chop the fish into small pieces with a large knife. Place in a bowl and mix with the garlic-anchovy mixture, parsley, 2–3 tbsp bread crumbs, pecorino and egg. Season with salt, pepper and lemon zest; if needed add more crumbs until the mixture holds together. Shape small balls with damp hands and roll them in the remaining crumbs. Fry portions in hot oil (≈170 °C) until golden brown, drain on paper towels and serve.