Sorry Charlie

"Sorry, Charlie." That phrase still takes me back to my childhood, when cartoons only aired on Saturday mornings or holiday specials, and to catch even a cartoon commercial was something I loved to see. I have fond memories of my mom opening up that can of tuna with Charlie on it. My mom was the tuna eater, and my father was the Sardine eater. Today, when you see Charlie on a can or hear StarKist, tuna is the first thing that pops to mind. Now, when I hear StarKist, I think about Sardines (naturally). Their new line of Skinless Boneless sardines is mighty tasty. I'm a fan of the Tuscan style, personally.

I know you sardine purists are shaking your head this very moment at "Skinless and Boneless sardines." You may even be shouting sacrilege to the dignity of tinned WHOLE sardines. I view Skinless Boneless Sardines as the training wheels of sardines to future Sardine Eaters, even a gateway sardine, you could say. I've turned many Non-Sardine eaters onto sardines by giving and suggesting these exact fish. (Bones seem to scare most people, especially lifelong Tuna eaters. But that's another post)

StarKist Is running a "Summer Photo Sweepstakes" called  Charlie On The Go. I only discovered this maybe a week ago. While reading over the rules, it states that it can be any StarKist product. I have plenty of their Sardines on hand, so I submitted photos. After submission, I looked at all the previous submissions. ALL TUNA! Not a Sardine represented anywhere! I won one of the daily selections and received free swag. It arrived today. 

Swag Pack: Charlie Raft, "Sorry Charlie" T-Shirt, StarKist earbuds, StarKist baseball cap, And 2 free product vouchers.

Sardine Eaters, as I often do, here's a heads up on how you can win free swag! Check out this link for more details. Charlie On The Go The only Sardine shots I've seen of late is what I've submitted.

Submit some Sardine shots, and show those Tuna eaters that Sardine eaters are here! As always, submit your sardine shots here and receive a Sardine Eater Decal! Keep Popping Those Tins!

Robert Brand-130

ROBERT BRAND: IN OLIVE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Calories-
Total Fat-
Protein-
Sodium-
Cholesterol-

PRODUCT OF:

Portugal

INGREDIENTS:
N/A

PRICE:


OVERALL
A slight oil, sardine aroma upon opening. Three plump, scaled fish to the tin. A good textured fish. Scales are not noticeable. Saltiness off the fish hits you on the first bite; yet, it does not overpower the fish. Not a spiny fish. No strong taste or after. Saltiness lingers after tin is gone; this is a two-beer minimum tin. I would eat again. 4 1/2 sardines.

ROBERT BRAND: IN SUNFLOWER OIL & HOT PEPPER

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:

Calories- 325
Total Fat-15.3g
Protein- 16g
Sodium- 700mg
Cholesterol- 47mg

PRODUCT OF:

Portugal

INGREDIENTS:
N/A

PRICE:


OVERALL
A faint peppery aroma upon opening. Three plump, scaled fish to the tin. A roe-filled fish; not a spiny fish. Scales are not noticeable. A faint heat lets itself known; heat fades almost as quickly as it appears. One chili pod to the tin. A meaty fish. No strong taste or after. I would eat again. 4 1/2 sardines

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
n/a
PRODUCT OF:
France

INGREDIENTS:
n/a

PRICE:


OVERALL:
Oil and pepper aroma upon opening. Three plump, scaled fish to the tin. A medium textured, roe-filled fish. Roe is not gritty. It is a mild-tasting fish, heat not noticeable at first; it slowly creeps up with even consistency. Two chili pods to the tin, fish does not hold its shape well. No strong taste or after. A lingering faint, nice heat. 4 1/2 Sardines

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:

n/a
PRODUCT OF:
France


INGREDIENTS:
n/a

PRICE:


OVERALL:
Oil aroma upon opening with three plump fish to the tin. Fish does not hold its shape well when removing from tin. Oil flavor hits you on the first bite. It's flavorful, with a bit of saltiness combined with the fish. No strong flavors or after. Roe filled' not to noticeable. 4 1/2 sardines

Sidi Daoud-129

SIDI DAOUD: IN TOMATO

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
N/A

PRODUCT OF:
Tunisie


INGREDIENTS:
N/A

PRICE:
1.11

OVERALL
A sweet tomato aroma upon opening. Tin is full of sardine pieces and halves. A firm-textured fish. The texture and consistency are of, a tender flank steak. (A tad chewy) A neutral-tasting sauce, no strong taste or after. Just lots of pieces of fish; not a whole sardine to be found in this tin. This tin is more for sandwiches, recipes, etc. I would eat again. Via different methods.
3 1/2 sardines

Martin Purefoods- 128

MARTIN PUREFOODS: IN TOMATO SAUCE & OLIVE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving:1/4 cup - 2 servings
Calories- 100
Total Fat- 7g
Protein- 9g
Sodium- 255mg
Cholesterol- 20mg
Fat Cal- 60

PRODUCT OF:
Spain


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tomato, Salt

PRICE:
2.79

OVERALL:
A faint tomato aroma upon opening. Three fish to the tin. A very soft textured fish; A roe-filled, meaty fish; Not spiny. No strong taste or after. The fish does not hold its shape at all while removing from tin; I ended up just stirring the fish into a spread to finish off the tin. A flavorful tin of fish; not an 'on the go tin". I would eat again. 4 1/2 sardines

MARTIN PUREFOODS: SPICY IN TOMATO SAUCE & OLIVE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving:1/4 cup - 2 servings
Calories- 100
Total Fat- 7g
Protein- 9g
Sodium- 255mg
Cholesterol- 20mg
Fat Cal- 60

PRODUCT OF:
Spain


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tomato, Red Hot Chili Pepper, Salt

PRICE:
2.79

OVERALL:
A nice peppery tomato aroma upon opening. Three plump fish to the tin. A soft textured fish. A very flavorful, semi-thick tomato sauce to the tin. Two chili pods are present. The heat from the chili hits you on the first bite; A "good strong" heat. Adds a wonderful flavor. (The chili pods have been cracked open, either by accident or on purpose. very nice) Not a spiny fish; no strong taste or after. I believe I have found a good staple tin to keep in my work locker. If spicy is your thing, you will love these; if not, stay away. I would and will be eating again. 5 Sardines

MARTIN PUREFOODS: SPICY

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Serving:1/4 cup - 2 servings
Calories- 130
Total Fat- 7g
Protein- 11g
Sodium- 255mg
Cholesterol- 20mg
Fat Cal- 80

PRODUCT OF:
Spain


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Carrot, Gherkin, Red Hot Chili Pepper, Salt

PRICE:
2.79

OVERALL:
A peppery oil aroma upon opening. Three plump fish to the tin. A soft textured fish. A very mild tasting fish, the heat of the chillis slowly creeps up on you. Two chili pods to the tin; a nice even heat throughout the fish that lingers after the tin is gone. No fishy taste or after. A clean-tasting tin of fish. I would and will eat again. (Not a tin on the go tin) 5 Sardines.