National Sardines Day and Sardine Sashimi

Today is National Sardines Day, and it seemed like the right moment to offer an alternative to the rising price of sushi. I recently heard a discussion about Los Angeles restaurants charging $200 to $250 per person for sushi meals, and the speaker described this as “mid-priced” in today’s market. That level of cost feels completely out of touch. So I decided to create a quiet counterpoint of my own.

This photograph is my idea of “sardine sashimi, an open tin of sardines set on a ceramic plate, chopsticks across the top, and a small serving of wasabi. It borrows the structure of a traditional sashimi presentation but uses one of the most accessible foods you can buy in any grocery store.

Sardines have been part of the human diet for centuries. They’re rich in protein and omega-3s, shelf-stable, and still one of the most affordable seafood choices available. National Sardines Day exists partly to highlight that, a reminder of a food that has fed entire communities, traveled with sailors across oceans, and found its way into kitchens around the world. They remain an essential pantry item, from simple meals to quick snacks, without the cost or ceremony of fine dining.

You can find this new photograph in my Commercial Food Photography gallery on my website at SecondFocus.com, along with fast-food, many muses, and more of my projects.