Foods to Eat in Italy - Venice

- Sarde in Saor - 

Sarde in Saor is a typical Venetian dish found in most osteria (small taverns) and bacari (a mix between a gastrobar and a wine bar), served as either an appetizer or a bar snack. It consists of fried sardines marinated in onions, raisins, vinegar and pine nuts, a good example of a typical Italian agrodolce dish. This refers to any dish that has a sauce that is both sweet and sour, and in this case, is produced by the raisins and vinegar respectively. You will find that agrodolce is very prevalent in Italian food but also found in cuisines the world over such as the gastrique used in French cooking or even 糖醋酱 (sweet and sour sauce) used in Chinese cooking.

Sarde in Saor came about because of the need for Venetian fishermen to keep fish fresh for extended periods of time whilst at sea and originally only consisted of sardines (or any fish) layered in oil, cooked onions and vinegar. It was not until the Renaissance period where raisins and pine nuts were also added which turned it from a simple way of preserving fish to a fully fledged dish.

Traditionally, the preserved fish wouldn't be eaten all in one day and instead would be food that lasts a few days. It was said that the taste of the dish would improve with each additional day so even today, many Venetians will prepare it and leave it for a day before consuming. If you too want to consume this dish then head to All'Arco, a neighborhood favourite osteria that serves some of the best cicchetti (or cicheti in Venetian dialect) found in Venice. The food there is always fresh (as they source their ingredients daily from the Rialto market) and reasonably priced. Whilst you can't go wrong with any of their menu, standout dishes include the pumpkin Cannocchia (mantis shrimps), Otegra Crudo (raw butterfish marinated in mint and olive oil) and of course, the Sarde in Saor. Then, why not finish of a great meal with a glass (or two) of prosecco or wine?

Alternatively, if wine bars are not your thing, you can go to Restaurant Malibran, which is within the Hotel Malibran and near the Rialto Bridge.  They offer a menu focused on fish and other Venetian dishes thus the Sarde in Saor is worth a try along with the swordfish carpaccio which is a interesting dish. Best of all, while it is in a convenient central location, it is also somewhat hidden leading to a more relaxed atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle (and tourists).