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Sicilian Cooking

Antipasti with Olives

(Antipasti di Olive)

Olives are produced all over Sicily. In fact, Sicily produces such a large amount of olives that it accounts for over 80% of the olive oil manufactured in Italy. The olives grown in Catania are colossal, and the production is mostly for consumption in salads, as an appetizer or stuffed with roasted red pepper and capers.

Below are a few tasty antipasti, easy and fast to make

    Ingredients

    Black Olive Salad, Musco Style (Olive Nere Condite - Alivi Cunzati alla Musco)

    • 1 lb black olives rinsed
    • 2 cloves of garlic, whole
    • Zest of 1 orange
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • Juice of 1 lemon
    • 1 oz anise seeds
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • Black pepper and red crushed pepper to taste

    Fried Black Olives (Olive Nere Fritte - Alive Fritte)

    • 1 lb salted black olives, rinsed and placed in a colander
    • 2 cloves crushed garlic
    • 3 tablespoons vinegar
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon oregano

    Green Olive Salad (Olive Verdi Schiacciate - Alivi Bianchi Cunzati)

    • 1 lb olives, rinsed and cracked to eliminate the pits
    • 1 cup diced celery
    • 2 cloves crushed garlic
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 3 tablespoons vinegar
    • Black pepper, red crushed pepper, and oregano to taste
    • Plenty of chopped parsley
    • Sliced red onions for extra zest

    Black Olive Salad, Musco Style (Olive Nere Condite - Alivi Cunzati alla Musco)

    • 1 lb black olives, rinsed
    • 2 cloves garlic, diced
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons vinegar
    • Black pepper, red crushed pepper and oregano to taste

    Instructions

    1

    BLACK OLIVE SALAD, MUSCO STYLE (Olive Nere Condite – Alivi Cunzati alla Musco)
    Mix all ingredients, and after a few hours, serve at room temperature.

    2

    FRIED BLACK OLIVES (Olive Nere Fritte – Alive Fritte)
    Pat olives dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place olives, garlic and oil in a large frying pan and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the vinegar. Serve hot or cold and garnish with the oregano.

    3

    GREEN OLIVE SALAD (Olive Verdi Schiacciate – Alivi Bianchi Cunzati)
    Mix all ingredients, and if possible, let stand a few hours to let the taste of the various ingredients marinate.
    Variation: In Syracuse the Olive Ammaccate are made with crackled green olives, red crushed pepper, garlic, olive oil and crushed fennel seeds.

    4

    BLACK OLIVE SALAD (Olive Nere Condite – Alivi Nivuri Cunzati)
    Mix all ingredients and serve at room temperature.
    Variation: You can add sliced red onions and /or roasted peppers.