Grilled Sardines

Grilled Portuguese sardines, also known as sardinhas asadas, are a popular summer dish in Portugal. The fragrance of grilled sardines pervades the streets of Lisbon for the entire month of June. That's when Lisbon stages the world's most popular sardine festival. On June 12th and 13th, the Day of Saint Anthony or Santo António Festival honors grilled Portuguese sardines. Following that, the Festas de Sardinha season begins across the rest of Portugal, with sardines being celebrated at a number of summer festivals.

The greatest time to eat fresh Portuguese sardines is between June and August, when they are at their optimum. The most typical way to serve this fish is on top of a slice of bread because the bread soaks up the fatty fat from the sardines, which gives it its distinct flavor. Moreover, the Portuguese, in a similar spirit, serve them with lemon, roasted potatoes, and peppers. Sardines are eaten straight from the charcoal grill when they are still fresh, marinated in Portuguese olive oil and served with salads, rice, or potatoes.