Imagine transporting your taste buds to the sun-drenched coastlines of Italy with just one bite of these incredible Olive Profumate. These aren't your ordinary olives - they're a sensory explosion of aromatic fennel and bright, zesty orange that will transform your appetizer game forever. Whether you're hosting a sophisticated dinner party or craving a gourmet snack, these scented olives promise to elevate your culinary experience with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed olives
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 orange, zested
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Carefully rinse the mixed olives under cold water to remove any excess brine, then pat them dry using clean kitchen towels.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the fennel seeds for 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and release their essential oils, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Using a microplane or fine grater, zest the entire orange, ensuring you only collect the bright orange outer layer and avoid the bitter white pith underneath.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the dried olives, toasted fennel seeds, fresh orange zest, and olive oil. Gently toss the ingredients to ensure even coating.
- Sprinkle a small amount of salt over the olives, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed to enhance the natural flavors.
- Cover the bowl and let the olives marinate at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and infuse.
- Transfer the marinated olives to a serving dish, garnish with a small sprinkle of additional orange zest if desired, and serve at room temperature as an appetizer or antipasto.
Tips
- Choose high-quality, mixed olives for the best flavor complexity
- Toast fennel seeds carefully - they can burn quickly, so keep them moving in the pan
- Use a microplane for the orange zest to get fine, fragrant zest without the bitter white pith
- Let the olives marinate at room temperature to allow flavors to fully develop
- For an extra touch of elegance, serve in a beautiful ceramic or wooden dish
- These olives can be prepared ahead of time and will actually taste better after sitting for a few hours
- Experiment with different olive varieties like Kalamata, green Castelvetrano, or black oil-cured olives for unique flavor profiles
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
