🐟 Oil Packed #5

Still thinking about this tin

Minerva Mackerel Fillets in Spiced Olive Oil with Pickles

Price: $11.50
Weight: 120g
Texture: Firm / Flaky
Taste: Sweet / Savory
Pair with: Herby focaccia and tomato

When I want to really treat myself to a tinned meal, I dig through my can cabinet for some mackerel. If you haven’t had canned mackerel before, you’re missing out. When it’s fresh, mackerel tastes like a milder version of salmon. When preserved, its sweetness is enhanced in a way I just can’t get enough of. I decided to try this can because I thought the outer wrapping design was elegant, and I’m thrilled to say the tasting experience was just the same.

Minerva Mackerel Fillets in Spiced Olive Oil is a divinely sweet, warmly spiced fish. There are about four fillets packed in a delicious olive oil along with carrot, pickle, and peri-peri pepper. The spice is full-bodied with fruity undertones, and I was surprised to see that there aren’t any aromatic spices in the ingredients list - the complex flavor is carried by the pepper and mackerel itself. The texture is flaky, as with most mackerel, but stays firm when you spread it on a tasting vehicle.

Pair this fish with your finest spreads, condiments, crackers, and anything else you’ve been saving for that special can of seafood! I thought it was delicious with a piece of soft sesame bread - the firm flakiness of the fish on top of the soft savoriness of the bread is a transcendent combination I can’t wait to eat again. Of course, this mackerel is delicious on its own, but you’ll love it on top of a thin, malty crispbread like Finn Crisp, or even a thick piece of herbed focaccia. And don’t even get me started on condiments - try this with a sweet spread like an onion jam or hoisin sauce to complement the fish, or a herby sauce like chimichurri to contrast it. When you’ve finished the mackerel, dip your leftover bread in the olive oil for a smooth, spiced flavor. You’re gonna want to lick this tin clean.

I can’t believe how good this fish is. It’s pricier on the canned seafood scale, but certainly worth the splurge for a seacuterie board or a tinned fish date night. You can find this tin at specialty food stores, or online retailers like Rainbow Tomatoes Garden.

Rating: ★★★★★

photos by Aaron Barton