Are Sardines Named After Sardinia Or Sardinia After Sardines?


Sardines are named after Sardinia, not the other way round. The small oily fish were once in abundance, in the seas around the island of Sardinia

is sardinia named after sardines
A school of Sardines

Sardines are also known as pilchards and are a member of herringOpens in a new tab. family ClupeidaeOpens in a new tab.. Some people class the fish shorter in length than 15 cm (6 in) to be sardines, and larger fish to be pilchards. Over 21 species of fish are known as a Sardine. 

The first known record of ‘sardine’ being used to refer to a type of fish was in England in the early 15th Century. It was initially a French word, devived through Latin and Greek, to indicate the island of Sardinia. The English gave the word an entirely new meaning.

Sardinia is no longer famous for Sardines, nor are they commonly used in the cuisine of the island, but there is a specialty that comes from the sea. Bottarga or Butariga in Sardo is a delicacy of salted, cured fish, typically flathead mulletOpens in a new tab., usually it is mixed into Spaghetti. Here is a recipe for Spaghetti all Bottarga. 

Where Is Sardinia? – Read The Article
Who Is On The Flag Of Sardinia? – Read The Article
Can You Spend A Week In Alghero Without A Car? – Read The Article
Is Sardinia Expensive? – Read The Article
Why Visit Sardinia? – Read The Article
Why Is Sardinia A Blue Zone? – Read The Article

Jason Matthew Warland

Sardinia is a place beyond time. I visited the island for the first time over five years ago to volunteer on a farm. Now, I am living in the United Kingdom, working in regenerative agriculture (biodynamictrainee.com) but every time I have a holiday it will be in Sardinia. And maybe one day I will be able to combine my passions for agriculture and Sardinia together once again. Thanks for reading the article I hope it was useful to you.

Recent Posts