Grilled Sardines

Ingredients

• Fresh sardines, cleaned and gutted
• Salt and pepper
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill) for garnish (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, make sure the coals are evenly spread and hot.
• Rinse the sardines under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts along the body of each sardine on both sides. This helps the heat penetrate the fish and ensures even cooking.
• Drizzle the sardines with extra virgin olive oil and season them generously with salt and pepper. Make sure to coat both sides of the fish.
• Place the sardines directly on the grill grates, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and the skin is crispy and slightly charred.
• Carefully flip the sardines using a spatula or tongs to avoid breaking them.
• Once the sardines are cooked through, remove them from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the grilled sardines and garnish them with fresh herbs, if desired.
• Serve the grilled sardines immediately with additional lemon wedges on the side.