Grilling Sardines On A Spanish Beach

Andalusia is noted for its distinctive culture and aside from the eye-popping beauty, that's my favorite thing about the region. On the sunny Costa Tropical, the cultural delights continue. This beach in Salobrena, about 45 minutes from Granada, enchanted me with mountain views, pristine waves and the smell of sardines grilling.

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of sardines but I was excited to see this chiringuito or beach bar, with an authentic boat used as a grill because it's a hallmark of Andalusian beach culture. Fresh, just caught fish are a specialty with espetos de sardinas or sardine skewers, the most essential.

My excitement must have been obvious because I was quickly invited to learn how to skewer the sardines for grilling.

The bamboo sticks are pushed through the body of the sardine for even grilling and it's probably easy to do for more spatially refined people but unfortunately, not for me. I mangled a handful of silvery fish before I was able to slide one on the skewer properly. I don't think I'll look into a sideline as a grill cook anytime soon.

Espetos are the perfect beach food and are eaten with your fingers, popping the whole sardine into your mouth. I couldn't quite manage that trick either but the salty, delicate taste of the fish was a lovely accompaniment to the laid back lifestyle of Salobrena.