Warm Castelvetrano Olives recipe is an amazing, super quick and impressive appetizer to prepare. There's just something magical about warm olives! You and your guests won't believe how much a little bit of heat can enhance the olives. 
Warm olives are a huge crowd pleaser, unbelievably delicious, and quite possibly the most simple hors d'oeuvre or appetizer you'll ever make.
I think there's recipe inspiration everywhere -- however, when I eat in a restaurant with a great chef and creative menu, it's usually a sure thing.
Inspiration for Warm Olives
A couple of weeks ago we went a restaurant I'd never to before. We ordered a handful of things -- the more to try, the more inspiration, and the more fun.
Among many other tasty treats, we ordered the olives which were listed under the Small Plates section of the menu. It simply said "Warm Olives," without any sort of description.
When our server brought them to our table, she said, "Your olives should be very warm, but they might be hot." I'd say they were somewhere in between -- the perfect temperature.
What are Castelvetrano Olives?
- From Sicily, Italy, beautiful Castelvetrano olives are typically large, crisp and juicy -- all at once.
- Opposite of many olives, which are pungent and salty, these have a delicate, clean fruity flavor.
- Since their flavor is more subtle, Castelvetrano Olive recipes are especially divine.
What olives can you substitute for Castelvetranos?
Cerignola olives are my first substitution choice, and though much smaller in size, Picholine Olives would also be excellent.
Now imagine that delicious bite of fruit simmering briefly in hot Extra Virgin olive oil. It's takes them from a nine to a ten+ in an instant.
I hope you might think about serving Warm Castelvetrano Olives at your next soirée.
Enjoy!
A few recipes with olives:
- Cuban Chicken Stew with Alcaparrado
- Baked Feta with Olives and Roasted Peppers
- Skillet Chicken Thighs with Apricots and Olives
Warm Castelvetrano Olives
There's something magical about serving olives warm!
*You'll see there aren't measurements in this recipe -- you'll simply use as many olives as you want, and enough oil to cover them.
- Castelvetrano olives (pitted or unpitted), (as many as you'd like to serve )
- extra virgin olive oil (just enough to cover the olives )
- Remove the Castelvetrano olives from their brine with a slotted spoon or small strainer, and add them to a small pot.
- Pour in a high quality Extra Virgin olive oil, just to cover the olives.
- Turn the heat to medium and once you see tiny bubbles, let the olives simmer just until they're hot, about 2 minutes.
- Use the slotted spoon or small strainer to remove them from the oil and serve immediately!
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Christina
Yum! One of my favorite types of olives; I LOVE this idea!
valentina
Christina, you will LOVE this! XO
Lizthechef
Great idea - I will buy some good olives to keep on hand for a quick snack with wine for drop-ins during the holidays.
valentina
Liz, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Happy Holidays! xo
Sippitysup
It's a good thing your server warned you about temp. I made some roasted olive once and brought them to the table at a dinner party. Before I could say "the bowl's hot" someone at the table reached over and grabbed the bowl. Yes they got mildly burned and I was embarrassed. GREG
valentina
Greg, I have no doubt that your totally scrumptious food made up for it. 🙂
David
I have been a huge fan of castelvetrano olives for years, but have never had them warmed in olive oil before. Thanks for this intro - you can be sure they will be out for apps on Christmas Day!
valentina
David, I hope you try it. SO EASY with a BIG result. xo
Lori
I stumbled across your recipe while seeking to duplicate the Citrus Cured Warm Castelvetrano Olives I enjoyed at Alta in SF. I added lemon and orange peel as well as lemon and orange juice to your recipe. Yum!
valentina
Lori, that's fantastic! I bet that touch of lemon was perfect! 🙂