CANNED ROLLED SARDINE FILLETS “Sardina pilchardus” IN VEGETABLE OIL, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER INGREDIENTS

Abstract

In conventional processes for canned sardines, sardines are traditionally packaged in the form of elongated pieces or fillets, chunks, balls or pâtés. Our invention modifies this classic process by introducing new steps, including deboning, rolling the sardine half-fillets and placing them on stainless steel skewers, as well as steaming them. This last process cooks the sardines and denatures the proteins, which fixes the rolled shape of the sardines. After cooling, the rolled sardine fillets are recovered and packaged in different packaging (cans, jars or autoclavable bags). They are then added with covering juice and / or other ingredients before undergoing hermetic sealing and a sterilization heat treatment. This process is very simple and inexpensive, requiring only a small adaptation of current production lines, in particular for the skewering method. This innovation allows the preservation of the benefits of sardines, particularly Moroccan Sardina pilchardus, without resorting to preservatives, while presenting this product in an innovative form. It thus contributes to maintaining Morocco's position and reputation as the world's leading producer and exporter of canned Sardina pilchardus.