Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Crushed Green Olives
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: Serves 8
Cuisine: Sicilian
Ingredients: 1 kg large green olives, not overly ripe; 6 garlic cloves; 1 red chilli, quite spicy; 3 carrots; 2 celery stalks; a small bunch of parsley; white wine vinegar, to taste; extra virgin olive oil, to taste; salt, to taste

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Crushed Green Olives

Discover how to make these delightful crushed green olives, a traditional Sicilian starter that truly captivates the taste buds!

Author: Lucia Amato • Published on: February 23, 2021

Categories: Starters

Tags: vinegar garlic carrots extra-virgin olive oil olives chili pepper parsley salt celery

⏱️

Prep Time

about 1 hour

🔥

Cook Time

👥

Serve

Serves 8

📊

Difficulty

easy

💰 budget-friendly

🗓️ autumn

⭐ 4.5/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 1 kg large green olives, not overly ripe

✓ 6 garlic cloves

✓ 1 red chilli, quite spicy

✓ 3 carrots

✓ 2 celery stalks

✓ a small bunch of parsley

✓ white wine vinegar, to taste

✓ extra virgin olive oil, to taste

✓ salt, to taste

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

180 kcal

Protein

1 g

Fat

17 g

Carbohydrates

3 g

Fiber

2 g

Sodium

410 mg

Crushed green olives are one of the most authentic and emblematic starters from Sicilian countryside cuisine. Made using fresh green olives, natural herbs, and a fragrant dressing of extra virgin olive oil, they’re perfect alongside crusty bread and local cheeses. While the process requires some patience, the result is utterly irresistible: a rich, Mediterranean flavour that’s wholesome and full of character.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

Gently crush the olives using a pestle, taking care not to break the stones.
2

Soak them in water for three days, changing the water every 24 hours.
3

After three days, drain and place them in a jar with a brine made of 2 litres water and 300g salt.
4

After four days, drain once more and rinse under running water for a whole day.
5

Finally, drain thoroughly and toss with finely chopped garlic and parsley, sliced carrots, chopped celery, chilli, extra virgin olive oil and a splash of vinegar.
6

Leave to marinate for a few hours before serving.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a more robust aroma, add a few bay leaves or swap some parsley for wild fennel. To soften the flavour, simply reduce the amount of garlic and chilli.

📦 Storage

• Store the olives in glass jars, submerged in olive oil, kept in a cool, dry spot.
• Best enjoyed within a week to preserve their fresh, vibrant flavour.

🍷 Pairing

Serve these crushed green olives with a glass of Contea di Sclafani Bianco, a wine with delicate aromas and a harmonious taste that beautifully enhances the freshness of the dish.

There’s something truly special about making and sharing traditional Sicilian recipes at home. These crushed green olives bring a little bit of that sun-drenched island magic to your table. Why not give them a try? They’re the perfect nibble to enjoy with friends and family over a leisurely afternoon or as part of a relaxed supper. Do share your experience — good food tastes even better when it’s shared!