Spicy Marinated Vegetables and Sardines on Toast

A sophisticated open-faced sandwich featuring quick-pickled vegetables, sardines, and mayonnaise on crusty baguette. The vegetables are marinated in aromatic spices and sherry vinegar, creating a bright and zesty topping that perfectly complements the rich sardines.

4 servings
38 min

Ingredients

  • teaspoons coriander seeds
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 8 small carrots
  • 2 small shallots
  • 1 small serrano chile
  • cup sherry vinegar
  • 6 whole radishes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ whole baguette
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 cans sardines in water
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 1 piece spice mill or mortar and pestle

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Toast coriander and fennel seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes; let cool. Coarsely grind in spice mill or with mortar and pestle; transfer to a medium bowl.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Using a mandoline, shave carrots, shallots, and chile into thin rounds; transfer to bowl with spices. Add vinegar and season with salt. Using your hands, massage mixture 20-30 seconds (this is just to get the flavors to meld faster). Let sit 10 minutes.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Shave radishes on mandoline into bowl with carrot mixture and add 2 Tbsp. oil. Toss to combine and let vegetables sit another 5-10 minutes.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Meanwhile, tear baguette halves into 4" pieces and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and bake until golden brown and edges are lightly charred, 5-8 minutes. Remove toast from oven and rub cut sides with garlic; season lightly with salt. Spread a layer of mayonnaise over each toast. Top with a few sardines, then drained vegetables. Finely grate a bit of lemon zest over each.

    8 min