Citrus Olives with Za'atar
Featuring orange zest, walnuts and za'atar seasoning, these Citrus Olives with Za'atar make for a unique and delicious appetizer!
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 65kcal
Ingredients
- 1 navel orange
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp za’atar spice mix see note
- 1½ cups mixed olives such as Castelvetrano, Kalamata, Nicoise and Cerignola (see note)
- ¼ cup walnuts lightly toasted and finely chopped
- {Optional garnish} 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
- {Optional garnish} 2-3 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Zest the orange; set both zest and orange aside for later.
- Using a small saucepan, add olive oil and place over medium-low heat.
- Once warm, add red pepper flakes, garlic, za’atar mix and olives.
- Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes, or until garlic is just beginning to turn brown. (Note: Make sure the temperature is medium-low or even low. You don’t want to fry the garlic!)
- Remove saucepan from heat and add 2 Tbsp of fresh orange juice; set aside to cool.
- Drain excess olive oil and place olives in a small mixing bowl. (Note: Save the olive oil for other recipes - it makes a great marinade!)
- Add walnuts and orange zest; toss until well combined.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- {Optional} Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and/or toasted sesame seeds before serving.
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
Many grocery stores have an olive bar in the deli section. This is a great place to pick up a mixture of different types of olives. Jarred olives work well, too – just avoid using stuffed olives for this recipe.
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that often contains oregano, thyme, sumac and toasted sesame seeds. While each blend is different, za’atar blends can be find in many grocery stores or on Amazon.
Nutrition
Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg
