Sardines and Zombies ?

Yes, it seems when Zombies aren't occupied with eating brains, they take time to enjoy a tin. We attended the Zombie walk and food drive in Gastonia, NC. Yesterday.

Some very happy Zombies...

Even my own little Zombie princess likes Sardines...

Even Twin Zombies...
 One twin is not only a sardine-eating Zombie; she is also the infamous author, Tonia Brown!
Check out the piece she wrote for M.F.O.S  HERE.

Aberdeen Sardine Festival

Hello sardine eaters,
Today I attended the 21st sardine festival in Aberdeen, NC. The festival was a little over a three-hour trip for me. Not wanting to miss anything or get caught up in traffic, I departed around 5:45 am, arriving in Aberdeen early. I rode by the park just to locate it; tents were going up as I went by. I hit up some local shops for the chance of acquiring new sardines (no luck). I returned to the park at around 9:30, an hour and a half early. Not wanting to seem like some crazed sardine stalker, I took a short walk around this gorgeous lake directly beside the shelter where the festivities are held.

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However, feeling like a kid at Christmas, my short walk became even shorter. I ventured on over to the place of the event and began taking pics. The sardines, crackers, and Moon Pies were still boxed up.

Condiments were making their way to the tables. Then I was discovered! A lady approached me. I knew the gig was up. I was early and was about to be asked to leave, or worse, be banned from the sardine festival! Instead, I was met with a very welcoming and warm smile. She introduced herself as Kay Moss. (I later discovered she was the reigning sardine queen. I had just met Sardine Royalty!) 

I introduced myself and explained a little about the blog. Kay Moss is the daughter of the late Randall Moss, the founder of the sardine festival. Kay took and introduced me to Dot Moss, the widow Randall Moss. Dot keeps the archives and scrapbooks of past sardine festivals' media. What a collection it is, dating all the way back to 1993, the first sardine luncheon! It's easy to get lost in these scrapbooks, reading articles and viewing pics from years past.

The late Randall Moss started what is now known as the annual International Aberdeen Sardine Festival back in 1993. What started out as a sardine luncheon between friends continued to grow over the years.
As I learned about the late Randall Moss and listened to stories, he seemed like a gentleman I would have very much liked to of been able to talk with over a tin of Sardines. Any man who loved sardines enough to start a festival is a very impressive man indeed.

Mr. Moss passed away on March 25th, 2010. The last sardine cannery in the U.S. closed on April 18th, 2010. Less than a month apart, the world lost two sardine ambassadors.

People began showing up in droves as time slowly crept closer to 11 am (starting time). Some requested and received their door prize tickets (the sardines and drinks are free, but a donation is encouraged if possible) before sardine serving commenced.

Then it began. I anxiously got in line, receiving my tin of sardines (they had two to choose from Port Clyde in water or oil), my saltines, a Moon Pie, and an ice-cold can of RC Cola.

Every table had vinegar, mustard, and hot sauce on them. I'm an "eat 'em out of the can" type of guy. So whatever they come in is how I enjoy them. 

 A patron attendee named David, who sat beside me, offered me his own personal hot sauce that he brought to the festival with him. (Where I'm from, if a man offers you hot sauce, you don't say no.) It was the Texas Pete extra hot brand. It really complimented the fish.

The festival offered music, clog dancers, and just excellent companionship. It is one of the largest gatherings of sardine eaters I've had the pleasure to witness in one sitting. I gave away loads of "Sardine Eater" decals throughout the festival. 

Non-sardine eaters showed up; some brought tins of oysters and others sandwiches. Some sardine eaters even brought their own tins of sardines to enjoy. 

You couldn't ask for a nicer bunch of people to spend the day with. I was a stranger, not knowing a soul in over a 100 miles radius, and yet, I was treated and felt as if I had always been there. The ride of 3 plus hours is a good one, but after today, I would travel double that to be there. I will definitely be there next year. If you want a great day, plan on attending next year. Dot Moss informed me that the date is in stone now, the 2nd Friday of October. Next year's event will be on October 10th, 2014. Maybe next year, Mouth Full of Sardines will create a multi-tin gift basket for one of the door prizes. I will have to get in contact with a coordinator and find out if it's acceptable.

It's amazing how a simple tin of sardines can draw such a diverse crowd of people. That is just another reason why sardines are truly great food. It's food truly enjoyed by all. 

Photo Credit: Hannah Sharpe/The Pilot

I hope to see some of you Sardine Eaters there next year. As I said as I was pulled on stage and put on the spot, "the only thing better than the sardines here is the fellowship."

Thank you, Aberdeen Sardine Festival, for a truly great and heartwarming time. See you guys next year.      

Photo Credit: Hannah Sharpe/The Pilot

ORLEANS -115

ORLEANS: IN SOYBEAN OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
N/A

PRODUCT OF:
Canada

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Soybean Oil

PRICE:
1.00

OVERALL:
A slight musty aroma upon opening. Five fish to the tin. A very bland-tasting fish. A soft, dense textured fish. A slight musty aftertaste. I would not eat again. No sardines.





ORLEANS: IN MUSTARD

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
N/A

PRODUCT OF:
Canada

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, water, Mustard Flour, acetic Acid, Modified Corn Starch, Annatto (color)

PRICE:
1.00

OVERALL:
A mustard aroma upon opening. Five fish to the tin. A sweet mustard flavor hits you on the first bite; A very firm-textured fish, has an unnatural consistency. Faint mustard after taste. I would not eat again. No sardines.









ORLEANS: IN SOYBEAN OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
N/A

PRODUCT OF:
Poland

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Soybean Oil, Salt, Natural Smoke Flavoring

PRICE:
1.00

OVERALL:
Faint oil, fish aroma upon opening. Ten fish to the tin. A soft textured fish. No strong taste or after. Not a spiny fish. (tins packed in Poland are very different than the ones packed in Canada)  Not a great tin, but for the price, these are hard to beat. I would eat again. 3 1/2 sardines.

ORLEANS: IN MUSTARD

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
N/A

PRODUCT OF:
Poland

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, water, Mustard Flour, Acetic Acid, Modified Corn Starch, Annatto (color)

PRICE:
1.00

OVERALL:
A faint, almost non-existent mustard aroma hits you when opened. Nine fish to the tin, no strong fish taste or after. The mustard sauce has a bit of tart after taste.; it does not overpower the fish. Not a spiny fish. A soft textured fish. I would eat again. 3 1/2 sardines.

"Les Sardines"

Unless you've been living under a tin some where, you may have heard of a popular song storming France this summer, "Les Sardines" by Patrick Sebastian. A very catchy tune.


Here are the lyrics in case you are French speaking impaired (as I am).

  SARDINES - PATRICK SEBASTIEN 

 To make an easy song, easy, Should first words morons, morons, A little melody that takes you well head, and a choreography to party, in this one, we get together, 5, or 6 or 7 and we all stick together, singing out loud. Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, sardines Sing, sing sardines, Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, Sing sardines between the oil and the spices. (2x) Of course, it really is easy, easy, It is even completely stupid, moron, it's not made to think it is for a party, this is done to touch, rub the edges , then we get together, 5, or 6, or 7, and then we jump all singing out loud, Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, sardines Sing, sing sardines, Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, Sing sardines between the oil and the spices. (2x) And ... for a breath p'tit it differs in holding hands, And ... to be even more happy is doing there, there, there, singing my chorus! There, there, and hands in the air, there, there! There, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, ........ (Spoken 8 measures) And now we are all tightening! It tightens, and now we had known, we will sing the song of sardines! Caution! Come on! Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, sardines Sing, sing sardines, Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, Sing sardines between the oil and the spices. (2x) Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, sardines Sing, sing sardines, Ha! What we are tight at the bottom of this box, Sing sardines between the oil and the spices. (1x) there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, ........ (8 measures) there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, there, ........ (8 measures)

As with most famous songs, it has spread all over YouTube here:

There is no short supply of self-made videos to the song. I'm not sure if it will ever arise in the States, "unfortunately." But who says sardine eaters can't promote it! So go out and make a video, submit it, and I'll post it on here.

STARKIST GOURMET SELECTS -114

STARKIST: SKINLESS & BONELESS IN TUSCAN STYLE TOMATO SAUCE

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
servings-2
Calories- 70
Total Fat- 6g
Cholesterol- 30mg
Sat Fat- 1g
Sodium- 270mg
Protein- 8g

PRODUCT OF:
Thailand


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Diced Tomatoes, Water, Tomato paste, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Garlic, Onion, Canola Oil, Black Pepper, Basil, Parsley, Crushed Red Chili Peppers, Xanthum Gum, Roasted Garlic, Natural Flavors.

PRICE:
2.28


OVERALL:
A very faint tomato aroma upon opening. A firm textured fish; a thick sauce, the sauce is very flavorful; sauce does overpower the fish, being a skinless, boneless variety that's easy to do. The fish is a tad dry. This fish placed on toast, pasta, or any number of hosts would be great. I would eat again. 4 1/2 Sardines.

  
STARKIST: SKINLESS & BONELESS IN WHOLE-GRAIN DIJON MUSTARD

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
servings-2
Calories- 90
Total Fat- 4g
Cholesterol- 30mg
Sat Fat- 1g
Sodium- 350mg
Protein- 10g

PRODUCT OF:
Thailand

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Water, Vinegar, Soybean Oil, Sugar, Mustard Flour, Mustard Seed, Salt, Corn Maltodextrin, Xantham Gum, Garlic Powder, Mustard, Citric Acid, Modified Corn Starch, Natural Flavor, Onion Powder, Spices, Autolyzed Yeast Extract.


PRICE:
2.28


OVERALL:
A very faint mustard aroma upon opening, Mustard seeds are not spared. There was a sweet taste on the first bite, followed by a tart/sour note. The flavors are nicely balanced. A firm textured fish; A tin full of variable size fillets... No fishy taste or after. I would eat again. 4 1/2 sardines.

STARKIST: SKINLESS & BONELESS IN EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
servings-1
Calories- 250
Total Fat- 20g
Cholesterol- 70mg
Sat Fat- 3.5g
Sodium- 460mg
Protein- 18g

PRODUCT OF:
Thailand

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Water, Salt, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor

PRICE:
2.28

OVERALL:
A faint smoke aroma upon opening. A firm textured fish; slightly bitter tasting. Tin would be much better without the smoke flavoring added  ( Another tin of fish in Olive oil, ruined by the canned sardine tariff rule. Now that there are no canneries left in the states, they should lighten up on the tariff.) Perhaps this tin would be better in a dish. This tin is not as dry as the other two. No strong taste or after taste; oil flavor does a little lingering. I would not eat again "alone" 3 1/2 sardines

* Thanks to Donald Gilbreath for acquiring these tins for me. 

VIGIILANTE-113

VIGILANTE: IN OLIVE OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Calories- 240
Total Fat- 16g
Sat Fat- 2,3g
Sodium- 510mg
Protein- 24g

PRODUCT OF:
Spain


INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Olive Oil, Salt

PRICE:


OVER ALL:
A very faint, oil,fish aroma upon opening. Three plump, scaled fish to the tin. A roe filled fish  scales not noticeable  a very clean tasting fish, no fishy taste or after taste; not much of a taste at all. A very even kilned tasting tin of fish. Roe not too noticeable  fish does not hold it's shape while removing from tin. Not a spiny fish. I would eat again. 5 Sardines.

VIGILANTE: EN ESCABECHE (IN PICKLED SAUCE)

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:
Calories- 235
Total Fat- 16g
Sat Fat- 2,8g
Sodium- 470mg
Protein- 22g

PRODUCT OF:
Spain

INGREDIENTS:
Sardines, Vegetable Oil, Vinegar, Spices, Salt

PRICE:

OVER ALL:
No noticeable aroma upon opening. Three plump, scaled fish to the tin. A slight vinegar wang his you on first bite. Scales not noticeable  not a spiny fish, no fishy after taste or taste. A very meaty fish; An evenly flavor of pickling sauce through out the fish; fish is slightly dry. I would eat again. A flavorful tin of fish. 5 Sardines.

OLD WORLD- 112

OLD WORLD SMOKED SPRATS: IN OIL

APPEARANCE:

NUTRITION:

Calories- 190
Fat Calories- 70
Total Fat- 16g
Sat Fat- 2g
Sodium- 680mg
Protein- 11g


PRODUCT OF:
Poland

INGREDIENTS:
Smoked Sprats, Veg Oil(rape seed or sunflower) Salt

PRICE:
2.50


OVER ALL:
Eleven fish to the tin; a mild smoke aroma hits you upon opening. A light smoke taste is present, no overpowering oil flavor; salt is very prominent; no fishy taste or after. Not a spiny fish;nor to dry, being a smoked fish. A good textured fish. Fish holds it's shape fairly well. I will eat again. 4 1/2 Sardines. Not 5, only due to the saltiness of this tin.