The Can Alone

I came home from a long, exhausting day on the road and dealing with elements of my past I wish I could have left along the wayside.  Somewhere between leaving the parking lot of the V. A. Clinic in Camp Hill and pulling into the carport at home, a depression as cold and grey as the rain clouds spilling over the mountains settled around my shoulders, dampening my spirits.  I was tired and hungry, but didn't feel like cooking.  Neither did I want to spend money to eat in a restaurant full of people.

I fed Cat then went to get the mail - my evening routine.  This time, though, retrieving the mail was anything but routine.

There was a mermaid in my box.

This mermaid came from Thailand, by way of New Jersey and Illinois, through the kindness of blogging friend and fellow sardinista, Michael Leddy, at Orange Crate Art.  What a wonderful surprise!  (Thank you, Michael.)

In his accompanying note, Michael wrote that he'd never tasted this brand, didn't know if they were any good, "but the can alone was worth it."  

Yes, the label is lovely.  Even better (and so totally delicious!) are were the little fish inside.  This brand is probably the best I've had since starting my recent search for the sardine taste of my youthful memories.

The flesh is tender, the skin silky on the tongue, the tiny bones a crunchy delight.  Two things I think add to the enjoyment of these fish are the light flavor and scent of the oil (soybean) in which they were packed, and the barest hint of smoke. 

My supper was a simple, but satisfying one: the sardines, with slices of cucumber and a sweet red pepper with a homemade herb-yogurt sauce, plus some garbanzos.  These sardines are perfect as they come from the can, which is how I ate half of them.  Lemon juice added a nice touch to the rest of them, but was unnecessary.

Michael, I hope you get to try them.  I think you'll like them.

And thank you for brightening the remains of my day.