Spicy Marinated Olives to Enhance Your Hummus Experience

My love affair with olives began with a delectable Cerignola olive, savored under the sun on Italy's coast. Before that, I'd only encountered ordinary black olives found at any store. This moment changed everything, and I soon sought out my own jar of these delicious olives, becoming instantly hooked.

Fortunately, gourmet green olives are now widely available. Alongside Cerignolas, I've found a fondness for Castelvetranos and Halkidikis. My fridge is never without a few jars, and I'm always eager to explore fresh ways to incorporate them into my dishes. Take these marinated olives: a simple 5-minute recipe that will enhance any summer gathering.

This recipe blends the buttery richness of Castelvetrano or Cerignola olives with zesty lemon and aromatic za'atar. They're delightful as a standalone snack or even better when heaped onto hummus and paired with crusty bread.

Creating these marinated olives is a breeze. Start by infusing olive oil with garlic, chile, za'atar, and lemon zest, cooking over low heat until the garlic sizzles. Then mix in lemon juice and vinegar, pour it over the olives, and let it cool.

And that's all there is to it! Once infused, these olives can enhance hummus, tahini, baba ganoush, or simply be enjoyed on toasted bread.

Best Tips for Marinated Olives

• Opt for Quality Olives: Castelvetrano or Cerignola olives are perfect for their smooth, buttery taste, but don't hesitate to try your preferred varieties.
• Adjust Spiciness: For a milder flavor, decrease the amount of fresno chile or switch it for a less spicy pepper.
• Make Ahead: Prepare this dish a day early for the best flavor. Keep it in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving.
• Pairing: Serve with warm crusty bread or crispy pita for an enjoyable appetizer.

This marinated olives recipe is quick, easy, and versatile. The blend of olives, garlic, chile, and za'atar creates a flavor profile reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The lemon zest and juice provide a refreshing acidity that perfectly balances the richness of olive oil and hummus. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish is both stunning and scrumptious.

Scroll down for the recipe, and check out additional appetizer ideas for hosting.

Description

These marinated olives will transport you straight to the Mediterranean. Serve them over creamy hummus with crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted green olives, coarsely chopped (Castelvetrano or Cerignola recommended)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 fresno chile, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons za'atar
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Hummus
• Parsley leaves, for garnish

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine olives. In a small skillet, mix olive oil, garlic, chile, za'atar, and zest. Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes until garlic starts to sizzle.
2. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and red wine vinegar. Pour over the olives and let cool.
3. To serve, spoon the olives over hummus and garnish with parsley.

• Prep Time: 5
• Cook Time: 5
• Category: appetizer

Keywords: marinated olives