BAKED SARDINES IN PEPPERONATA

Baked Sardines in Pepperonata image

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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4 red bell peppers
1/2 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons drained capers
1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
8 whole fresh sardines, scaled, gutted, deboned
Chopped fresh dill and grilled crusty bread (for serving)

Steps:

Preheat broiler. Broil peppers on a broilerproof rimmed baking sheet, turning occasionally, until blistered all over, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit 15 minutes. Peel, seed, and slice into 1/2"-wide strips.
Reduce oven temperature to 450°F. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8-10 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add tomato paste and sugar and cook, stirring, until tomato paste is beginning to darken, about 1 minute. Add wine and vinegar and cook, stirring often, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Mix in roasted peppers, parsley, capers, and oregano. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Transfer pepperonata to a shallow 3-quart baking dish.
Season sardines inside and out with salt and pepper; lay on top of pepperonata. Drizzle with oil and bake until sardines are firm and beginning to brown, 15-20 minutes. Top with dill, drizzle with more oil, and serve with bread.