For thousands of years, sardines have been a staple food of the Croatian coastal region and, in Dalmatia, we eat them frequently during the hot summer months. Marinated sardines can keep in the refrigerator for a number of weeks. They make a perfect, quick-to-prepare meal if you have unexpected guests, or are excellent served as an appetiser.
I learned this pickled sardine recipe from our neighbour in Split, when I lived there as a child. Usually, we use anchovies in this pickle recipe instead of sardines, but in Australia fresh anchovies aren’t available – don’t worry, sardines work just as well.