Post image for Cured Olives with Lemon and Herbs

You can make cured olives at home. How many times do you pass by the olive counter at stores and say I can make those. Well, here’s your chance to make your own cured olives to serve as appetizers, with your cheese plates, or thrown on a salad. This recipe is using fresh olives straight from the tree. All you need to find is an olive oil farm or visit your local farmers at the markets and ask for fresh olives. Or find a neighbor who will be kind enough to give you 4 cups of olives from their tree. A variety of olives will make your dish more interesting but take whatever you can find. Change up the herbs as you wish but do use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for this recipe.

Olives have many health benefits: All in one olive!

heart healthy
weight loss
cancer prevention
decrease pain
improve skin /hair health
reduce allergies
good source of iron
improve eye health

Meyer lemons happen to be in season during the olive harvest, so you may want to use these smooth -skinned lemons for a sweeter flavor.

Cured Olives Lemon and Herbs

Add this quick olive appetizer with a side of freshly baked bread.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Meditteranean

Keyword olives, Meditteranean, Greek

Author Mary Papoulias-Platis

Ingredients

4 cups assorted fresh olives, not pitted
1 large lemon
8 large garlic cloves, halved
1 medium onion, sliced
6-8 anchovy fillets
1 sprig fresh rosemary, cut into 1 -inch pieces
1 teaspoon each of oregano, fennel seed, lavender
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions

Make a slit with a sharp knife one side of each olive.
Use a sharp knife or peeler and peel the lemon in spirals
Using a crock or glass bowl, layer the olives with 1/2 cup measurements with lemon peel, garlic clove, onion slice, anchovy fillet, rosemary and herbs.
Cover with olive oil.
Store in a cool dark place for at least 3 days or up to one week. Taste! If still bitter continue aging, until flavor is right.

Recipe Notes

Fresh olives can be found at your local olive oil farm. Or check with farmer's at your local farmer's market. Do not use already seasoned or canned olives.

These pictures were taken during the harvest season at our local Temecula Olive Oil Ranch.