All the Matiz

The curve for the ratio between quality and cost is not linear. What that means is a sardine that costs twice as much may not necessarily be twice as good, and a sardine that costs half as much may not be half as good. Just like wine, above a certain price point you can find quality products all across the range. Don’t let the price fool you on these, they’re a sardine a lot of sardine lovers love.

120g tin

If you’ve ever tried working with fresh octopus you know how tricky it can be to get a tender product. Tinned octopus is a secret weapon, because it’s always perfectly cooked. Eat it straight from the tin or give it a quick fry in a pan in the oil it’s packed in until it colors up, then use it to make tapas or toss it with pasta.

111g tin

If you’ve been turned off of smoked tinned fish by a sketchy tin you picked up for a song on a lark at an ethnic grocery store, come back and give the good stuff a try. A well done hint of smoke is a perfect complement to the tinned fish experience.

120g tin

Perfect on sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Or if you really want to go traditional Spanish dish, try stuffing piquillo (sweet) peppers with this and capers and parsley.

111g tin

The sweet piquillo pepper is a mainstay of dishes made with Spanish seafood. Some people keep a jar of piquillo peppers on hand to go along with their sardines, and some people prefer to have the piquillo peppers delivered along with the sardines. We don’t judge.

85g tin

Enjoy fresh from the can with a squeeze of lemon and chopped parsley, or serve with pasta sauce and bread. You may also substitute cockles for clams to upgrade any recipe that calls for tinned clams.

111g (4oz) tin

Nothing draws out the flavor of seafood better than lemon, and these have just a hint to accent without dominating.

120g tin

Enjoy fresh from the tin, sauteed with onions, or serve with pasta sauce and bread. Also great if you add the liquid to whipped potatoes and serve the mussels atop, allowing the potatoes to warm the mussels through.

111g tin

We reach most often for spicy sardines, then probably smoked, then lemon, then plain. They pretty much all use piri piri peppers, and they rarely have enough heat for people who like heat. But, that’s why hot sauces were invented.  These won’t blow your doors off, heat-wise, but we think you’ll be surprised at how good they are for the price.

120g tin

We love mackerel here, and believe it’s the sustainable future of seafood. People who don’t like mackerel either have never tried mackerel, or only know the soup can bone-filled version. Try using this any way you normally use tuna, or sardines. You will be surprised at how versatile it is, and you’ll wonder what took you so long to learn about mackerel.

85g tin

Wild-caught cod and hand-packed in Galicia, Spain, this tender, flaky tinned cod has a clean, delicate flavor.

Prepared in the traditional style with only Spanish olive oil and salt, it is ready to eat right from the tin. Try it with just a squeeze of lemon, and/or on a slice of crusty bread.

111g (4 oz) tin

Pictured on carrot and radicchio salad.

Serve with crusty bread, or a protein addition to salad, rice, or pasta.

115g (4.05 oz) tin

Part of our Bento Bag Reload.

Part of our Bento Bag Reload.

Part of our Bento Bag Reload.