Adam Vettorel’s take on the classic Venetian cicchetti works perfectly as a light, healthy meal or as an antipasto at a dinner party.

Sarde in Saor

INGREDIENTS

20 sardines
Salt
1 tbsp oil
3 large onions
3 fennel bulbs (pick and save fronds)
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup golden raisins
White wine
White wine vinegar
Baguette (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Debone sardines and sprinkle them with salt. In a hot frying pan, add oil and sear sardines flesh side down for about 5-8 seconds. Place sardines in a dish with deep sides flesh side down and set aside.

In the same pan, on medium-low heat, add the onions and fennel to the residual oil left from the sardines. Sweat the onions and fennel, making sure they stay a clear colour and do not caramelize. (Use water, if necessary, to slow things down if it gets too hot). Add toasted pine nuts and raisins. Cover with white wine and let reduce until vegetables are soft. At this point, the dish should have a sour taste. If too sweet, add some white wine vinegar.

Season with salt, but only lightly because the sardines should already be salty. Cover sardines with onion and fennel mixture and let cool.

SERVING

On a plate, cover sardines with onion and fennel mixture. Alternatively, you can also serve this cicchetti dish on thin slices of baguette.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Adam Vettorel is the chef and co-owner of Ottawa’s North & Navy. Previously he was the chef du cuisine at the iconic Domus Cafe. He has been cooking in Ottawa for fifteen years. His interest in Northern Italian food comes from his father’s side of the family, who hail from Veneto.

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Inspired by the Venetian tradition of cicchetti—small dishes paired with wine—this recipe is published courtesy of Modello Canada, a seventh generation, family-owned Venetian wine company. For additional recipes, tips on living like a Venetian, and more, visit ModelloCanada.com.