How to Make Marinated Pitted Olives at Home

Marinated olives are one of the easiest ways to elevate something already good into something genuinely special. The marinade ingredients penetrate the olive over hours, deepening the flavour considerably.

Ingredients

1 cup pitted olives (our Mission or your preferred variety) · Boutique Olive Grove EVOO to cover · 2-3 garlic cloves, lightly crushed · fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs · lemon zest · red pepper flakes · black peppercorns.

Optional Additions

Small cubes of feta cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes. Capers. Orange zest alongside the lemon.

Method

Rinse the olives and pat dry. Place in a clean jar. Add the garlic, herbs, lemon zest, pepper flakes, and peppercorns. Pour over enough EVOO to fully submerge. Seal and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. The longer they marinate, the more intense the result — 3-5 days is ideal. The EVOO itself becomes wonderfully flavoured in the process and can be used as a dipping oil.

Serving

As a standalone appetiser. On a cheese board. Added to salads or pasta. The flavoured oil from the jar is excellent for dipping bread.

Shelf Life

Refrigerated, marinated olives keep for up to two weeks. Always use clean utensils to prevent contamination.