🐟 Oil Packed #9
A shiny alternative to sardines
Ati Manel Garfish in Spiced Olive Oil
Price: $8.00
Weight: 120g
Texture: Firm
Taste: Salty
Pair with: Plain potato chips
I had never heard of garfish before I tried this tin. They’re less popular than sardines because of their green bones (no joke!), but just as delicious, and potentially a more environmentally friendly choice. Garfish have very close migratory patterns with mackerel, and end up being bycatch when these fish are caught.1 If you’re looking for a more sustainable option to an already sustainable meal choice, canned garfish is a great tin to try.
Ati Manel Garfish in Spiced Olive Oil is an elegantly shiny, salty fish. Upon opening the can, you’ll nearly be blinded by the silver skin on these garfish. There are 5-7 polished fillets packed in a can, with their skin on and bones in. They’re much firmer than sardines and don’t break apart when poked with a fork. They taste somewhere between a sardine and an anchovy - they’re deliciously savory, not particularly fishy, but definitely salty. The oil is warmly spiced with piri-piri and gives the fish a nice amount of heat.
Put one of these gleamy guys on a nice potato chip. This bite highlights the salt and slight tanginess of these garfish. If you’re feeling ambitious, drop some hot sauce on top - I’m a fan of Valentina. These would also be delicious wherever you’d usually use anchovies, like on a pizza or in a salad. Imagine those shiny little gems among some greens. Gorgeous!
If you’re a tinned fish enthusiast, give this shiny tin a try. They’re a little bit more interesting than your casual sardine or anchovy, and a good addition to your can cabinet. You can find these fish at your local tinned fishery, like Mercado Central here in NYC, or online retailers like Rainbow Tomatoes Garden.
Rating: ★★★★★
photos by Aaron Barton