Mediterranean Diet Friendly Citrus & Herb Marinated Olives
Warm, fragrant, and deeply savory, these marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that makes a simple gathering feel effortlessly sophisticated. The magic happens in a single small saucepan, where garlic slowly softens in extra-virgin olive oil alongside fresh rosemary and thyme until the whole kitchen smells incredible. Bright citrus zest from both orange and lemon cuts through the richness of the oil, while a pinch of turmeric and ginger add a subtle warmth that makes these olives genuinely hard to stop eating. A final splash of fresh orange juice stirred in off the heat ties everything together with a little acidity that balances the brine beautifully. This is exactly the kind of dish that fits naturally into a Mediterranean-style way of eating — good fats, fresh herbs, and whole ingredients with nothing processed in sight. Let them rest for at least thirty minutes before serving and the infused oil becomes almost as irresistible as the olives themselves, perfect for mopping up with crusty bread.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups mixed olives, pitted or unpitted
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp orange zest (from about ½ orange)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about ½ lemon)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary sprigs, and thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the garlic is softened and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 4–5 minutes — watch closely, as the garlic can brown quickly.
- 2
Add the olives, orange zest, lemon zest, turmeric, ginger, and salt to the pan. Stir to coat the olives in the oil and spices, then cook until the olives are warmed through and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
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