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Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced red onion, roughly chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, and sumac. Stir gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes so the flavors meld and the onions soften slightly. For extra depth, you can add a pinch of finely ground black pepper.
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Prepare the Sardines: Open the pouch carefully and transfer the fillets to a serving plate. Try to keep the fillets intact for a more elegant presentation. Drizzle a small amount of the oil from the pouch over the fillets to enhance their natural flavor. If the sardines are chilled, allow them to come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving, this will make the flavors more pronounced.
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Assemble: Using a spoon or small tongs, spread the onion and herb topping generously over the sardine fillets. You can leave a little oil from the topping pooling around the fish for added moisture and flavor.
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Serve: Serve with warm flatbread and optional olives on the side.
