Open the jars of olives and drain the olives in a colander for about 1–2 minutes. Transfer the olives to a flat plate and dry them with a paper towel for 3–5 minutes — excess brine reduces the adherence of the marinade. If you are using olives with pits: halve the olive and remove the pit with your nail or a special pitter; for beginners, it's better to buy pitted olives.
Description
Aromatic olives in herbal marinade are a simple, elegant snack perfect for Valentine's Day — they pair wonderfully with a cheese board, a glass of wine, or as a small appetizer before dinner. The recipe combines meaty green and black olives with olive oil, fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme), garlic, lemon, and a delicate vinegar, resulting in a distinct yet balanced flavor. Marinated olives gain depth after a few hours and look impressive — the glossy oil, green sprigs of herbs, and colorful spices create a decorative plate. The dish is easy to prepare, has a low calorie count per serving (the fat mainly comes from the oil), is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and the marinade can be modified for spiciness or flavors.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (14)
- Green olives (pitted) 300 g
- Black olives (pitted) 200 g
- Extra virgin olive oil 50 ml
- Garlic 3 ząbki (~15 g)
- Lemon juice 30 ml
- Lemon zest (grated) 2.5 łyżeczki (~5 g)
- Fresh rosemary (chopped) 5 g
- Dried oregano 2 g
- White wine vinegar 30 ml
- Fresh thyme 5 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Salt 0.1 szczypt (~3 g)
- Ground black pepper 2 szczypty (~2 g)
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Capers (optional) 30 g
- Chili flakes 2 szczypty (~2 g)
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Preparation steps
Preparing olives
Marinade - preparing the ingredients
Peel and finely chop 3 cloves of garlic. Remove the tough stems from the rosemary and thyme and finely chop a teaspoon of each. Grate the zest of the lemon using a fine grater, being careful not to grate the white layer. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon (about 30 ml). Prepare a small mixing bowl.
Marinade - mixing
In a bowl, pour in 50 ml of olive oil, 30 ml of wine vinegar, and 30 ml of lemon juice. Add grated zest, chopped herbs, 2 g of dried oregano, 3 g of salt, and 2 g of black pepper. Add chopped garlic and — if using — capers (30 g) and chili flakes (2 g). Whisk vigorously with a whisk or fork for about 30–45 seconds, until the ingredients combine into a uniform emulsion. The marinade should be smooth, with the oil slightly mixed with the vinegar and juice (it does not need to be completely integrated).
Marinating
Transfer the drained olives to a jar with a tight lid or a wide bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the olives so that they are mostly covered. Close the jar and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds to ensure the marinade is evenly distributed among the olives. Set aside for at least 1 hour at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 12 hours (ideally 24 hours) — the length of marinating affects the intensity of the flavor.
Serving
Before serving, take the olives out of the fridge for 20–30 minutes to reach a temperature just below room temperature — this is when the flavors are most pronounced. Transfer the olives to a small bowl or decorative plate, drizzle with a tablespoon of the reserved marinade, and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and possibly a bit of extra lemon zest. Serve with toothpicks and bread (e.g., toast, baguette).
Additional tips
If after a few days the marinade has become too intense or too salty, add a few tablespoons of fresh olive oil and a tablespoon of lemon juice to the jar, mix, and let it sit for 24 hours. Marinated olives also taste great as an ingredient in salads or finely chopped as an addition to spreads and tapenade.
Fun Fact
Olives have been valued since ancient times – they were a symbol of peace and abundance in Mediterranean culture. Marinating is an ancient method of preservation and flavor enhancement, used for centuries.
Best for
Tips
Serve the olives slightly chilled, but not ice-cold — cold temperatures suppress aromas. Arrange them in small portions on plates for pairs, add pieces of fresh baguette or toast, as well as small bowls with extra capers and sliced lemon.
Store olives in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks. Always make sure that the olives are completely covered with the marinade/oil — this reduces oxidation and drying out. Before serving, take the jar out of the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.
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