Pollastrini Sardines in Tomato & Chilli
 
Anzio, Italy. Since 1889. Pollastrini is the only Italian cannery still built entirely around Mediterranean sardines — and they do it the old way. Boats go out at night, lights draped over the water to draw the shoal in gently, no trawling, no stress on the fish. The same method the village has used for over a century, and it's why the sardines arrive at the cannery whole, intact, and calm.
Inside the tin: firm Sardines in a rich tomato sauce, lifted with celery, hot pepper and a finish of extra virgin olive oil. This is the fiery cousin of the classic tomato tin — same coastal sweetness up front, but with a genuine chilli kick that builds through the finish. Made for people who like their conservas with a bit of attitude.
Warm it through and spoon over toasted sourdough with a scatter of parsley, or toss through spaghetti with garlic, extra chilli and a squeeze of lemon for a fast, punchy midweek pasta. Also excellent straight from the tin with a cold beer, if you're not the patient type.
 
A proper source of protein, Omega-3s and B12 — but the chilli's the reason you'll go back for another tin.