Welcome to our series featuring Food Holidays: November 24th, 2022. Today is National Sardines Day. I remember my dad having tins of these in our pantry as a child. Back then I would eat Sardines at times but if you asked me to know it wouldn’t happen. What about you. Do you like Sardines?
National Sardines Day celebrate Sardines and the wholesome health benefits they provide to us. Did you know that the word ‘Sardine’ was first used in the 15th Century and was derived from the Mediterranean Island of Sardinia? Sardines are one of the most abundant, edible Fish in the world and are employed for various purposes, including bait, human consumption, Fish meal, Fish oil, canning, drying, and salting. Sardines are a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins D, B12, and B2; phosphorus; and calcium. Sardines commonly come packed in tin cans and are a major export for Morocco, Japan, and China.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SARDINES DAY
Sardines have always been a major food source around Coastal regions like the Mediterranean Islands, from where Sardines got its name. However, before Sardines became a global delicacy and a significant means of export, Sardines were “the Fish of the poor.”
The Frenchman Nicolas Appert heralded the golden era of Sardines with the invention of canning. This nifty innovation, which would forever transform the food industry, which was introduced in 1810 by Nicolas Appert in his cookbook, “The Art of Preserving All Kinds of Animal and Vegetable Substances for Several Years.” Joseph-Pierre Colin, an Englishman, combined this innovation with Breton’s popular Sardine storage technique and created canned Sardines.
By 1836, Colin was producing around 30,000 cans of Sardines a year. That increased over the years to 50 million cans because of the creation of about 30 other small factories. Before the end of the 19th Century, Spain and Portugal overtook France in canned Sardines exports owing to a drastic decrease in Sardine population in France’s Coastal Waters. The French woes were further worsened by the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, halting their exports to North America, consequently creating an opportunity for American entrepreneurs to enter the market.
In 1875, the Eagle Preserved Fish Company was established in Eastport on the East Coast, ushering in the golden era of the American Sardine industry. In Maine and California, small Sardine factories spurted everywhere along the Coast, increasing the volume of Atlantic Herrings exported worldwide. In the 1940s, Sardine industry began winding down on the West Coast because of World War II. Twenty years later, the East Coast started experiencing reduced canned Sardine sales, and by 2010, the last factory in Maine shut down.
Sardines are no longer a major export for the United States and are viewed as low-end foods, Sardines are still a delicacy in Spain and Portugal. In fact, there is a culture of making canned Sardines age as Wine before eating them.
NATIONAL SARDINES DAY ACTIVITIES
- Sardine is a versatile Fish, so you can prepare Sardines however you want or use Sardines in various dishes. You can decide to roast or deep-fry Sardines, eat Sardines fresh like Sushi, or grill Sardines. Try incorporating Sardines into your favorite dishes, including Pasta, Pizza, and Toast.
2. Another way to celebrate National Sardines Day is to try out that Seafood or Sardine restaurant near you. Various restaurants across the Country serve Sardines prepared as different cultural delicacies – Portuguese, Japanese, Greek, etc. Check on Yelp for the closest ones to you, and visit with your family.
3. The Maine Coastal areas were the very epicenter of the Sardine golden era in the United States, between the 1940s and 1960s. While the last cannery closed its doors in 2010, it’s still possible to relive those golden years by visiting the Maine Coast Sardine History Museum. Plan your trip with a friend and take a tour of this historic site, from catch to can.
5 FACTS ABOUT SARDINES
- In some parts of Europe, canned Sardines are allowed to mature for years before eating.
- Did you know there are 21 species of Sardines, of which about six species are called Pilchards, and over 12 species are called Sardines.
- After Salmon, Sardines are the most consumed Fish by humans.
- While the lifespan of Sardines is up to 13 years, they only live to see six of those years.
- Every year, between May and July, billions of Sardines migrate from South Africa’s South Coast to the subtropical waters of the East Coast, causing a feeding frenzy.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL SARDINES DAY
- Each Country has its own culture around how Sardines are preserved and cooked. In Croatia, Sardines are fried or roasted on a stick; in Greece, Sardines are grilled or cured in Salt and Olive Oil; and in India, Sardines are eaten fresh, fried, or made into various curries. Sardines even have their festivals in Greece, and Sardines are the main delicacy for the Portuguese St. Anthony’s Day.
- Sardines are among the best edible Fish with the highest nutritional content. Sardines rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that improve brain function, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and lower blood sugar levels. Sardines also contain a high amount of protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and more
- Whether Sardines are viewed as low-end food in America or not, National Sardines Day can be fun if done right. You can use National Sardine Day to recreate local and foreign Sardine delicacies with a loved one.
Five facts about Sardines:
Sardines live short lives, and grow quite quickly. Did you know Sardines can reach a length of about 23cm in two years.
Sardines are the most plentiful, edible Fish in the world.
The main ingredient in Worcestershire Sauce is fermented Sardines. I don’t think I want anymore Worcestershire Sauce knowing this. How about you?
The term Sardine was first used in English during the early 15th Century and may come from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, around which Sardines were once abundant.
The original ‘secret’ ingredient in Caesar Salad is crushed Sardines.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
