Black olives

Certainly! Here’s a simple recipe for marinated black olives:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of black olives (such as Kalamata or Nicoise)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the black olives under cold water and drain them well.
2. In a bowl, combine the olives, minced garlic, dried herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well to ensure the olives are coated evenly with the marinade.
3. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that olives can be naturally salty, so adjust the salt accordingly.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the olives to an airtight container.
5. Refrigerate the olives for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. Before serving, let the olives come to room temperature for the best flavor. You can serve them as a standalone appetizer or incorporate them into salads, pasta dishes, or antipasto platters.

Enjoy your homemade marinated black olives!