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Castelvetrano olives will make an olive lover out of anyone! Their rich, buttery flavor and crisp texture make them uniquely delicious.
Think you don’t like olives? Try Castelvetrano Olives, a unique variety that will make an olive lover out of anyone. For years, I was olive wary: they were too pungent, briny, and salty for me. But Castelvetranos: they’re in a category all of their own. This is the type of olive to marinade as an appetizer or add to a fresh hummus bowl. Here’s the skinny on this brilliant green orb and why it’s ideal for snacking and cheese boards.
What are Castelvetrano olives?
Castelvetrano olives are a green olive variety grown in Sicily with a signature rich, buttery flavor and crisp texture. They have a mild and fruity flavor, making them suitable for people who shy away from very strong and briny varieties.
Castelvetranos are grown in the Belice Valley in Sicily, so another name for the variety is Nocellara del Belice. They are harvested young and unlike other olives, they’re not cured: they’re simply washed in lye and water for a few weeks until the bitter flavor is removed.
Why everyone loves them
There’s something about the buttery, mild flavor of Castelvetranos that’s unlike any other type, like the ultra salty Kalamata or the briny pimento stuffed variety. We’ve served these to people who claim not to like olives, only to have them park themselves in front of the bowl. It’s a great mild olive to snack on, or especially to add a pop of flair to a salad. They’re just that good!
Ways to use Castelvetrano olives
The flavor of Castelvetrano olives is so rich and buttery, they’re perfect for snacking! Add them to a cheese plate or charcuterie board, or simply nibble them out of a bowl. They’re great in salads, bowl meals, on pizza, or in pasta. Make a bowl of marinated olives for a crowd-pleasing party appetizer.
- Try marinated Castelvetrano olives with garlic and lemon (see below)
- Stir them into olive salad, a tasty sandwich spread and dip
- Make a charcuterie board with cheeses, cured meats, almonds and fig jam
- Add them to an Italian chopped salad
- Use them in a Mediterranean hummus bowl
- Make Castelvetrano olive spread for crostini or sandwiches
- Throw them onto pizza diavola
- Substitute them for Kalamatas in pasta puttanesca
Marinated Castelvetrano Olives
Marinated olives are a stunning appetizer or side! Flavored with garlic and lemon, they’re a great finger food for cheese boards or parties.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes hands on, 2 hours hands off
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 to 8 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Marinaded
- Cuisine: Italian inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 6-ounce dry weight jars or cans pitted ripe Castelvetrano olives packed in water 2 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Scant ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 rosemary or tarragon sprigs, plus additional for serving if desired
Instructions
- Drain the olives. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Cut 4 strips from the lemon peel, then squeeze out 1 tablespoon of the juice.
- In a 1 quart jar or covered container, combine all ingredients and shake gently to combine.
- Marinate for 2 to 4 hours at room temperature, shaking occasionally. Serve immediately, garnishing with additional rosemary sprigs if desired. Stores refrigerated for several weeks; allow to come to room temperature prior to serving.
I also grill castlevetrano olives.
Grilled Olives
2 C pitted Castlevetrano olives, slightly drained
2 T EVOO
2 T dry Vermouth
2-4 cloves of crushed garlic
~ 1 tsp Herbs d’Provence
Toss all together in a (preferably disposable) aluminum pie plate type dish. Grill on HOT grill (~500+ degrees) for about 15 min. Toss a bit. Continue grilling until the olives have reached a state of char that you desire. I usually end up with about 20-25 min. Cool. Refrigerate for several weeks.
They area addictive!! Enjoy
Yum! Will definitely be trying this!
Let us know if you have any questions!
How do we pit the olives (preferably without any fancy tools). Thanks!
Use a chopstick to push them out!