Xeito sardines

Small, super-tender sardines from the Galician estuaries, caught using the centuries-old xeito fishing method. The sardines, fattier than those caught in the open sea, have a beautifully soft texture. Perfect on plain crisps as an appetiser or on toasted pitta bread soldiers drizzled with olive oil. The xeito (shay-toe) method is a sustainable, artisanal form of fishing that has been used by Galician fishermen for centuries. A weighted length of cloth is lowered from the boat into the water. Small sardines attach to the cloth and are then hand-selected, with very small ones returned to the water. The method ensures there is no ecosystem damage: no larger fish are accidentally caught and the seabed is left intact.