Sardines in Tomato Sauce

Sardines in tomato sauce, fruity and mild from Portugal

Porthos sardines in tomato sauce are whole Portuguese sardines in a mild, fruity tomato sauce, known in Portuguese as Sardinhas em Tomate. Not a spicy fish, but the gentle, summery variety from the Atlantic.

Sardines in tomato sauce are the mild classic among Portuguese canned fish: whole sardines, hand-selected, preserved with ripe tomatoes and a little sunflower oil, and lightly salted. Fruity, aromatic, and firm in texture, with no heat at all. On the can, they are labeled as Sardinhas em Tomate, and that is exactly what they are: sardine and tomato; no more drama is needed.

Fruity, succulent, and aromatic

The tomato sauce is well-rounded and slightly sweet, the sardine beneath it firm and succulent. A fish that tastes of sunshine, not of a tin.

The riper the tomato, the fuller the sauce, and the better it complements the fish. The sardine remains whole, does not fall apart, and can be lifted out of the tin in beautiful pieces to place on your bread. This way, you taste both fish and tomato in every bite, rather than one or the other.

This mildness makes them versatile. Where a spicy sardine takes center stage, the tomato sardine plays a supporting role and leaves room for other ingredients – a team player on the plate. Those who enjoy the sauce can simply dip a piece of bread into it; it is far too good to throw away.

With rice, it becomes a main course

A portion of rice, a few sautéed zucchini, the sardines with their tomato sauce on top – and the small tin becomes a full lunch. If you like, spoon some of the sauce over hot pasta, sprinkle with a little Parmesan, and you have a quick fish sugo.

They are just as popular eaten cold on bread, with some onion and parsley, or as a quick appetizer with olives and white bread. The sardines in tomato sauce enjoy uncomplicated company and a glass of light white wine.

If you prefer something spicy, reach for the spicy tomato sauce, or if you are looking for pure fish, the sardines in olive oil. Our entire selection of sardines from Portugal is ready for you.

Porthos, the musketeer from Matosinhos

Porthos is based in Matosinhos, the port city near Porto, where the Conservas Portugal Norte cannery has been hand-packing Atlantic fish for over 100 years. In Matosinhos, the scent of the sea and fish is part of everyday life, and the short distances from the harbor keep the catch fresh. The roots date back to 1912.

The brand takes its name from the musketeer Porthos from Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel, the strongest of the three friends as Dumas created him. Since the 1950s, the stately musketeer has appeared on the can, and the artfully lithographed tin cans are among the most beautiful that Portugal has to offer.

Over the years, new recipes and colors have been added, but the musketeer has remained – a face recognized from Portugal to the Far East. You can find the entire selection in our Porthos assortment. This is how Portugal tastes, in total tranquility. A tin for days when things should be simple and good.