Fructose Free Marinated Olives with Citrus and Herbs
Briny, fragrant, and impossibly easy to pull together, these citrus-and-herb-infused olives are the kind of appetizer that makes a simple gathering feel effortlessly sophisticated. The marinade comes together in a single small saucepan, where olive oil slowly blooms with smashed garlic, orange and lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes — no complicated steps, just gentle heat doing all the work. For anyone navigating fructose sensitivity, olives are a naturally low-fructose ingredient, and every component here — the citrus zest, fresh herbs, garlic, and good olive oil — keeps things clean and gut-friendly without sacrificing a single bit of flavor. That 30-minute resting period off the heat is where the real magic happens, letting the infused oil soak deep into each olive so every bite is layered and rich. Serve them warm straight from the pan or let them come to room temperature on a board alongside crusty bread or cheese — either way, the glossy, herb-flecked oil left in the bowl is practically worth the recipe on its own.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups mixed olives, drained (such as castelvetrano, kalamata, and cerignola)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, lightly smashed and peeled
- 3 wide strips orange zest (removed with a vegetable peeler)
- 2 wide strips lemon zest (removed with a vegetable peeler)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp fennel seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, garlic, orange zest, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes, and fennel seeds (if using) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until the oil begins to sizzle gently around the garlic and the herbs are fragrant, about 4–5 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown.
- 2
Add the drained olives to the saucepan and stir to coat. Continue to warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the olives are heated through and the oil is deeply fragrant, about 4–5 minutes.
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