It is one of the most emblematic fish in Portuguese cuisine and a recognized symbol of our country. However, as with cod, which is imported from Norway, sardines also do not have exclusively Portuguese origins — and the name itself betrays this heritage. According to the Super interestingthe oldest record of the term “sardine” dates back to the time when Latin was predominant. Interestingly, the name of this fish so associated with Portugal originates from Italy.
Despite being the second most caught fish in the country — only surpassed by mackerel — sardines play an important role in national fishing. According to the News Journalcited by , between the months of June and September 2023, 14 thousand tons of this fish were caught. However, sardines’ connection with Italy is indisputable and goes back thousands of years, being so striking that it even inspired the name of an island: Sardinia.
If you were curious about the origin of the name, here is the answer: it comes from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. THE Super interesting reveals that the oldest record of this connection dates back to the 9th century BC and was found in a Phoenician stone inscription — the famous “Pedra de Nora” —, where the island is already mentioned as From the balloon.
Although the origin of the name of the Sardinian people, who inhabited the region, predates the Proto-Indo-European languages (such as Latin), there are curious records about this designation. The magazine highlights, for example, that Plato, in the book Timaeuspresents an explanation for the name, although there is no historical confirmation. According to the philosopher, it all started with a woman named Sardo, a native of Sardis, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Lydia, located in present-day Türkiye.
Regardless of its origin, sardines, with their name from Italian roots, are today an unavoidable reference for anyone visiting Portugal. It represents our country’s gastronomy and maritime culture — at least as long as you continue swimming in our waters.
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