José Gourmet Sardines in Tomato Sauce. Portuguese canned sardines with tomato and olive oil – fruity, succulent, four ingredients.

José Gourmet Sardines in Tomato Sauce are a Portuguese canned fish: sardines from the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean in tomato and olive oil, seasoned with salt, 120g tin. No ketchup flavor, no thick ready-made sauce – just sardine and tomato, carefully balanced.

Sardines in Tomato Sauce by José Gourmet are simply called "Sardinhas em Tomate" in the original. In Portugal, the sardine is the fish par excellence, served fresh off the grill in summer and from a tin all year round. The tomato version is, alongside sardines in oil, the second great classic on the shelf. According to the manufacturer, the sardines are caught at their peak, and the tomato and olive oil are also carefully selected. The difference compared to sardines in oil is obvious: the tomato adds fruitiness and acidity, making the fish more rounded. A Sunday morning, a late breakfast, and instead of jam, an open tin of sardines sits next to the bread basket.

Taste

The sardines are succulent and tender, with the typical, savory taste of the small Atlantic fish. The tomato layer on top is fruity and slightly acidic. The olive oil connects the two and softens the sauce. With only four ingredients, the flavor is clear and direct: sardine, tomato, oil, salt.

Compared to sardines in oil, the tomato version is milder and more accessible because the fruit frames the fish. Those trying sardines for the first time will find this a friendly introduction. Conversely, those seeking the pure, intense sardine flavor may find the tomato too dominant. For a fresher version with a citrus note, try the Sardines with Lemon in Olive Oil.

Usage

It’s very simple with bread. Toast a slice of ciabatta or rustic bread, place the sardines with a little sauce on top, and finish with pepper and a few basil leaves. Served with a green salad with cucumber and red onions, it makes a light lunch.

Luís Baena, who develops the recipes for José Gourmet, makes a club sandwich with this variety. Your quick version: toast bread, layer with lettuce, cucumber, and hard-boiled egg, and add the sardines in tomato in between. His second recipe is Penne alla puttanesca with sardines – pasta with tomato, olives, and capers.

For the puttanesca, sauté garlic in olive oil, add olives, capers, and the sardines along with their sauce, and heat briefly. Then toss with the penne and sprinkle with parsley. One tin is enough for two portions this way.

Our tip: Place the sardines and sauce on a halved, baked potato and add a little sour cream and chives. It’s ready in ten minutes and is very filling.

Origin

The brand José Gourmet belongs to the Portuguese company 100MISTERIOS, Lda. It selects artisanal products and sees itself as a bridge between those who produce quality and those who enjoy it. According to the manufacturer, the sardines for this tin come from the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

The illustration on the tin is by Marta Madureira. Like every variety, this one features the work of a Portuguese artist. On their website, Eugénio Roda tells a fable about it: a sardine wanted to turn into a tomato. When it succeeded, it realized it didn't like the plain red color after all. It turned back into a sardine and invited the tomato to a conversation – a conversation between canned goods. The packaging is made of recycled material and is intended to be kept.

For whom

The sardines in tomato sauce are for everyone who likes sardines or wants to discover them. For families, they are a quick meal to keep in the pantry. As a gift, they offer a little piece of Portugal with art on the packaging. More sardines and mackerel can be found in the José Gourmet 4-pack gift set. You can see the entire range on our José Gourmet page. The tin contains fish.

The sardines are not suitable for dishes that require long simmering, as the tender fish will fall apart; therefore, heat only briefly.

Sardines, tomato, and olive oil – the Portuguese canned sardines for bread, sandwiches, and quick pasta.