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Butter-Fried Sardines With Lemon Zucchini

sardines with veggies
Butter-Fried Sardines with Lemon Zucchini – Fresh sardines pan-fried in brown butter until the skin is shatteringly crispy, served alongside lemon-dressed sautéed zucchini coins. This Catalan-inspired dish is humble in ingredients but spectacular in flavor. Fresh sardines fried in butter is one of the great simple pleasures of cooking.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine: ,
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 2
Calories: 460
Best Season: Summer
Dietary: Gluten-Free, keto
Description

Fresh sardines are one of the most overlooked ingredients in Western cooking – cheap, nutritious, and when cooked properly in butter, absolutely extraordinary. The key is very high heat and completely dry fish. The skin becomes glass-like and crispy while the flesh inside stays moist. Brown butter amplifies everything.

Ingredients:
  • 8 fresh whole sardines cleaned and gutted (or 4 large ones butterflied)
  • 4 tbsp butter divided
  • 3 zucchinis sliced into coins
  • 3 garlic cloves sliced
  • 1 lemon juice and zest of
  • fresh parsley
  • salt and black pepper
  • 1 tsp capers (optional)
Instructions
  1. 1
    Pat sardines completely dry inside and out with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. 2
    Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over high heat until butter turns golden brown and smells nutty.
  3. 3
    Add sardines in a single layer. Do not touch for 3-4 minutes until the skin facing down is completely crispy.
  4. 4
    Flip carefully and cook 2 more minutes. Remove and rest on a warm plate.
  5. 5
    In the same pan with the brown butter, add remaining 2 tbsp butter and garlic. Cook 1 minute.
  6. 6
    Add zucchini coins in a single layer. Cook 3-4 minutes until golden on one side, flip, cook 2 more minutes.
  7. 7
    Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers. Toss to coat.
  8. 8
    Plate zucchini and top with sardines. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges..

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Serving Size 4 sardines + zucchini

Amount Per Serving
Calories 460kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33gg51%
Total Carbohydrate 5gg2%
Protein 36gg72%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Ask your fishmonger to clean and gut the sardines for you – they're usually happy to do this. Completely dry fish is essential for crispy skin. If the butter is browning too fast when you add the fish, reduce heat slightly. The garlic-lemon-butter pan sauce from the zucchini step is extraordinary – make sure every drop ends up on the plate.

Keywords: Simple, Elegant
Read it online: https://trendsetterss.shop/recipe/butter-fried-sardines-with-lemon-zucchini/