Ok tried two new things at once.

I have read that ground nuts can sub for breadcrumbs.

I also read several recipes for sardine cakes.

So I ground 1T pecans 1T walnuts 2T almonds to a fine powder.
Food-processed an onion, the oil from the sardines, a clove of garlic, some paprika and cumin. Shoulda only used some of the oil, it was way too runny. But I thought to do the nuts first at least.

Mashed the tinned sardines with the goop and added about half of the crushed nuts. Made patties (ish) and used the rest of the crushed nuts to coat the outsides of the 4 patties.

Toaster-ovened at 400, turned down to 350 after 10 mn for burning the tops, took out after 20 mn total.

Ate on a bed of cherry tomatoes with lime juice and a blob of sour cream.

Totally yummy.