Sardine Croquettes

I’ve decided no sweet’s for Fiesta Friday but instead, a simple recipe with fresh sardines! A Sardines are beautiful little fish, inexpensive and delicious grilled, marinated or like today as spicy croquettes. Thank you Angie from The Novice Gardener  and thanks to Caroline @Caroline’s Cooking and Elaine @foodbod for co-hosting this week Fiesta Friday !

Serves: 12 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fresh sardines
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of red sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon of harissa paste or 2 red chilli peppers
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 1 small bouquet of fresh coriander (this one is from my garden)
• 1 lemon
• Oil for frying

Procedure:

1. Wash the sardines.
2. Rub the sardines to remove the scales.
3. Cut off the head.
4. Cut along the belly to remove the organs.
5. Rinse the sardines and put them into a colander (the technique is simple and fast).
6. In a food processor add the sardines, the salt, the black pepper, the garlic, the paste harissa, the red sweet paprika and the coriander.
7. Mix all the ingredients together, do not mix a long time just to assemble the ingredients (as seen in the picture).
8. In a large pan add a little of oil on a medium heat.
9. Take a little of the sardines dough and make small croquettes.
10. When the oil is hot add the croquettes and fry them.
11. When they are gold, transfer them into a colander.
12. Serve hot and drizzle with lemon juice.

The croquettes are tender, spicy and flavorful. You can add aïoli on the side for a delicious sauce (you can find my aoili recipe here). Bon Appétit.