Today, we are making Marinated Olives with Garlic. This delicious appetizer is eaten throughout the Middle East. More than just a simple snack, these olives are a celebration of spices, herbs, nuts, and pomegranate molasses.

Whether served as part of a mezze platter or enjoyed on its own as a flavourful treat, these olives embody the essence of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean hospitality.

Countries like Spain, Greece, and Italy feature these appetizers on their mezze platters. Olives have been a staple of the Mediterranean diet, and adding herbs, spices, and olive oil provides a 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 own touch with an array of spices, making each recipe unique from the others.

Ingredients

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

Mint leaves add a vibrant flavour to this dish without overpowering the fruity taste of the marinated olives. Olives that are soaked in olive oil will be more flavourful than those stored in vinegar brine, and they will also have a firmer texture. If you can’t find olives in olive oil, look for vacuum-packed olives without the briny liquid. Finely chopped garlic adds a bit of heat to the dish, whilst the walnuts add a satisfying crunch. You can also add other nuts, such as pecans, almonds, and pistachios. For a little bit of sweetness, use pomegranate molasses, which has a tangy flavour. If you can’t find molasses, you can use honey with vinegar to create a similar effect.

What is pomegranate molasses? Pomegranate molasses is made from fresh pomegranate arils or juice. With the addition of lemon and a little sugar, it is reduced to a syrupy texture, 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 the mint leaves. The key is to let the olives shine as the main ingredient in this dish. If the mint leaves are too large, they may overpower the olives’ flavour.

Finely minced garlic cloves are also essential. If garlic cloves are chopped carelessly, they could impart an overly strong flavour, detracting from the olives. If you’re not a huge fan of finely minced garlic, you can also cook it in a little olive oil to caramelize it and reduce its spiciness.

Chop up your walnuts. Add the ingredients to your mixing bowl with your olives. Add your Olives, chopped mint, and finely diced garlic to 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 can you serve with 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.

How to Store the 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.

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 use them as well. 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. For other spices, consider your favourite flavours. Consider adding some sun-dried tomatoes, pre-soaked in oil, for that extra tart flavour. Add in sumac for a Middle Eastern flair. If you want a slightly cheesy flavour, add grated parmesan cheese.

Marinated Olives with Garlic

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sides

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Total Time: 7

Servings: servings

Calories: 121kcal

Author: thetastejournal.com

Ingredients

▢ ½ Cup Green & Black Olives – Pitted
▢ ¼ Cup Walnuts
▢ 1 Garlic cloves – Small
▢ 3-4 Fresh mint leaves – Finely diced.

Condiments

▢ Pinch Salt
▢ 1 Tbsp Pomegranate molasses
▢ 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive oil

Instructions

Prepare the ingredients: Finely mince the garlic cloves. Use one garlic clove if you prefer less garlicky taste. Wash the mint and separate leaves. Then finely chop the mint leaves. Finely crush the walnuts.
Add it to a bowl: Prepare a bowl and add in the green olives, minced garlic cloves, chopped mint leaves, crushed walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and the olive oil. Stir and mix all the ingredients together and serve immediately.