how about stuffing the sardines with mashed sweet potato . the filling would be fairly spicy if it were for me but i do not have a subtle sense of taste.
Good shout, whilst they are filleted (so I can't stuff em) I might do a spicy paprika mash? Pan fry fillets (any spice?) and serve with green veg (brock and beans)
i do not eat enough fish to say which spices go well with sardines but many years ago i used to cook a mean fish curry using tinned pilchards , nice and hot , indian curry. might do that over the weekend , now that you have put the idea in my head