One of my favorite snacks in Morocco are spiced olives with a fresh loaf of bread and some cheese. I’ve never really cared to figure out how to make said olives because I thought they might lose some of their appeal.
Wrong.
With a little direction from MarocBaba and my mother-in-law I figured out how to make them. I think that these will become a staple in my fridge and on most every party table. I think you’ll agree once you give them a try.
Moroccan Spiced Olives
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb green cracked olives with pits
- 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1/2 onion chopped finely
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 1/2 tsp hot paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
In a saute pan add the olive oil, onions and garlic and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Add the olives, paprika, and cumin. Cook for 8 minutes longer. Finally add the cilantro and parsley, mix well and finish cooking for about 2 minutes longer.
Notes
If your olives are very salty, boil in water for 10 minutes before making this dish. Drain the water before using – it will help remove some of the salt.
If you don’t want to go through the process of heating up the olives you can also mix olives with different things to create new flavors. Create an olive bar for your parties!
You’ll need olives of course, I think a variety works really well. Ingredients you’ll need;
- Black olives
- Green olives
- Any mixture of olives and types that you like.
- Olive oil
Mix ins;
- Diced preserved lemons
- Parsley and/or cilantro
- Harissa
- Za’atar seasoning
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Salt and pepper
- Cumin powder
- Grated ginger
- Powdered or diced hot peppers
- Crushed garlic
I have made these using regular canned olives from the grocery store and also using better quality, imported olives. I’ve linked to a company that sells Moroccan olives that are excellent. But if you don’t have access to these go for another Mediterranean variety.
Colin Duffy
Saturday 23rd of November 2019
If I were to buy Moroccan olives as a gift, how long would they last?
Amanda Mouttaki
Monday 25th of November 2019
If they are sealed and refrigerated they typically last a few weeks. Depends a little on the type you get.
How to Create a Great Moroccan Snacking Board - MarocMama
Saturday 5th of October 2019
[…] flavored olives […]
anya
Friday 19th of August 2011
YUMMI! how can you do this to us during ramadan! lol
marocmama
Friday 19th of August 2011
Now you have to go make it!!
L.L.
Friday 19th of August 2011
Have u ever had friendship bread??
Dan
Friday 19th of August 2011
Awesome! Please send my thanks to your mother-in-law. I haven't had olives like that in a very, very long time. I'll need to bring them to the next family event my dad and his siblings.
marocmama
Friday 19th of August 2011
I'm so happy to hear this! It's really much easier than I thought. You could add in other spices too I think to mix it up! I'm thinking of trying ras al hanout next time.