Sarde a Beccafico (Italy)
Sarde a beccafico is sardines stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins and various herbs, then wrapped and cooked among fresh bay leaves.
The beccafico, for which the recipe is named, is a small sparrow-like bird that feeds on sweet ripe figs. These birds, which used to be shot only by the nobility, were cooked with a delicious filling and served with the beak and tail feathers facing up. To imitate the Sicilian nobility, the plebs replaced the little birds with the much more affordable sardine, adding breadcrumbs and a few simple ingredients.
Sarde a beccafico can be eaten as a main course, but also makes an excellent and satisfying starter. As with many regional Italian dishes, each family has their own unique sarde a beccafico recipe.
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