Olive Marinate
(Italian marinated olive appetizer)
Image by Ofer Deshe
Marinated olives are a popular snack and antipasto in Italy. Olives are popular all around the Mediterranean coast. They make a great addition to any Spanish, Italian, North African, Greek or Provençal meal.
Marinated olives will stay fresh for 1 to 2 months if stored in the refrigerator.
Makes about 4 cups
Ingredients
- Cracked green olives -- 2 cups
- Black olives -- 2 cups
- Olive oil -- 1/2 cup
- Red wine vinegar -- 1/4 cup
- Garlic, minced -- 2 tablespoons
- Herbs and seasonings (see variations)
Method
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours to let the flavors mingle.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as an appetizer or accompaniment to cocktails.
Marinated Olive Variations
- French (Olives marinées): Use black niçoise olives, thyme and a little lavender.
- Greek: Use black Kalamata olives and dried oregano and thyme.
- Italian (Olive marinate): Use chopped rosemary, thyme and peppercorns.
- North African (Mslalla): Use oil-cured black olives and substitute lemon juice for the red wine vinegar. Stir in cumin seeds, coriander seeds, lemon and orange zest and crushed red pepper.
- Spanish (Aceitunas aliñadas): Use paprika, cumin seeds and peppercorns.
- If you like, you can use all green or all black olives.
- Here is a list of the most popular herbs and seasonings mixed with marinated olives. Mix and match to suit your own taste.
- Bay leaves
- Cardamom seed
- Cracked black pepper
- Crushed red pepper
- Cumin seed
- Fennel seed
- Lavender
- Lemon, lime or orange zest
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Rosemary
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Thyme
