Tonnino Tuna is a superb line of olive oil or spring water-packed tuna that sets a high standard for what's possible when it comes to tinned or jarred tuna fish. Â You can also see what you're getting because the yellowfin tuna fillets are packed in glass jars and thus clearly visible. Â The product is produced by Sardimar, SA of Costa Rica, a Central American fish canning company. Â Â
There are eight tuna fillet varieties, all but one of which is packed in olive oil:Â
- In spring water
- In olive oil
- Lemon and pepper in olive oil
- With oregano in olive oil
- With jalapeno in olive oil
- With garlic in olive oil
- Ventresca in olive oil
My favorite is the ventresca, Tonnino's premium product, with thick, pink chunks of yellowfin tuna belly. Â All of the varieties are mildly salted and flavorful without being too fishy, the criticism most people have of canned tuna.
I will often drain the jar of its olive oil into a dish below so that I can use the oil in the dish I'm making. Â Otherwise, I just tip the open jar into a fine sieve and take care to not break the large pieces of tuna so to enjoy the luxury of its tender but meaty texture.
