Spicy Sardine Toasts with Caramelized Shallot & Fennel Jam

Fennel and sardines get along famously. The sweet-salty combination is what makes a classic pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) so harmonious. A few ribbons of shaved fennel tossed with lemon and parsley are a welcome accompaniment to any snack board involving canned fish. And when the fennel is caramelized alongside some shallots, it transforms into a dark, sweet jam, which offers the perfect sultry backdrop for a few silvery sardine fillets.

These toasts make a great lunch on