Grilled Sardines

Ingredients

Fresh sardines

8-10, cleaned and gutted

Olive oil

3 tablespoons

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Salt

1 teaspoon, or to taste

Black pepper

1/2 teaspoon, or to taste

Lemon

1, juiced and zested

Fresh parsley

1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C).
2. Clean and gut the sardines, removing the scales and innards. Rinse the sardines under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.
4. Brush the sardines generously with the olive oil mixture, ensuring both sides are well-coated.
5. Place the sardines on the preheated grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and have nice grill marks. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become dry.
6. Once cooked, remove the sardines from the grill and squeeze additional fresh lemon juice over the top.
7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the sardines for a burst of color and flavor. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.