Marinated Olives with Garlic

Have you tried Marinated Olives? This incredible dish is made with firm green olives without any tanginess. Olives soaked in olive oil provide the perfect base for this recipe. Toss some herbs and spices with finely minced garlic, and you get these deeply luscious flavours.

Marinated olives are popular in Mediterranean cuisine. Countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy feature these appetizers on their mezze platters. Olives have been a staple in the Mediterranean diet, and adding different herbs, spices, and olive oil provides the foundation for enhancing flavor.

The olives soak up the flavours of the spices, and the olive oil helps preserve them. The best part is that various regions of the Mediterranean will add their personal touch using an array of spices, thus making each recipe unique to the other.

Ingredients

Mint leaves, Olives, Garlic, Pomegranate molasses, Olive oil, Walnuts.

Mint leaves add a bright flavour to this dish. Interestingly, using mint leaves does not overpower the taste of the marinated olives; it enhances them. We’ve chosen olives that are soaked in olive oil, which is ideal; they will be tastier than those that come in a vinegar brine. Choose olives pre-packed in vacuum-sealed containers without the brine liquid if you can’t find them.

Olives that are pre-soaked in olive oil have a different texture from those that are soaked in vinegar. Olives soaked in olive oil are firmer, while vinegary olives do not provide that firmness.

The garlic is finely chopped, and adds some heat to this dish. Walnuts add a crunch to the marinated olives. You can also chop up other nuts for this dish, such as pecan, pistachio, and almond nuts. To add a bit of sweetness, we’ve chosen Pomegranate molasses. You can also use honey and molasses as a substitute for the pomegranate molasses.

What are Pomegranate molasses? Pomegranate molasses is made from fresh pomegranate arils or juice. With the addition of lemon and a little bit of sugar, it is reduced to a syrupy texture that is slightly sweet with a tart taste. Pomegranate molasses are sold in most Middle Eastern supermarkets and can be ordered online.

Instructions

Start by finely chopping your mint leaves. This is an important step. The key is allowing the olives to be the central star of this dish. If the mint leaves are too large, they may overpower the flavour of the olives.

Finely minced garlic cloves are also essential. If the garlic cloves are chopped carelessly, they could impart an overly strong flavour, which will detract from the olives. If you’re not a huge fan of fresh garlic cloves that have been finely minced, you can also cook them in a little bit of olive oil to caramelize them and reduce the garlic’s spiciness.

Chop up your walnuts. Add the ingredients into your mixing bowl with your olives. Add your Olives, chopped mint, and finely diced garlic in a bowl, then Olive oil. The best olives to purchase are the ones that are pre-soaked in olive oil. Add Pomegranate syrup and a pinch of salt. Marinate and mix well.

What to Serve with your Marinated Olives in Garlic?

There are so many dishes that you can enjoy alongside the Marinated Olives. Consider it for a mezze platter with cheese, crackers, and salami. You can stuff the olives inside other vegetables, add some cheese, and bake. These olives can also be thrown on top of green salads and bulgur salads. You can enjoy them as a side to a juiced rib-eye steak or inside a club sandwich.

Expert tips

You can use sliced or halved olives for this recipe. A firm olive texture is essential. If you can access fresh olives, you can also use them. However, they will take approximately two weeks to soften in the fridge. There are many different types of olives, such as Manzanilla, Kalamata, and Castelvetrano.

In terms of other spices, consider your favourite flavours. Consider adding some sun-dried tomatoes that have been pre-soaked in oil for that extra tart flavour. Add in a sprinkle of sumac for a Middle-eastern flair. If you want a slight cheesy flavour, add in some grated parmesan cheese.

How to Store your Marinated Olives in Garlic?

Store in an airtight glass jar in the fridge. If you add more oil to the top of the jar, it will increase the longevity of this dish. You can store in the fridge for three to four weeks. Freezing is not advised as it will disrupt the texture of the olives. It is best to make this recipe fresh.