A staple of the Mediterranean diet for its rich flavors, olives can be found in great variety in many grocery stores across the country.
Table Olives
Tasty on their own or as an ingredient in salads and sauces, many varieties of olives can be found in grocery stores across the country. Try using olives to top your favorite pasta, pizza or quiche. If you're tired of eating the basic Italian bread, spice it up and add sweet Cerignola olives to make a delicious olive loaf. How about a lusty black olive tapenade spread for your next gathering?
Olives of Italy
Italy produces many varieties of table olives. These are some of the most popular and widely available:
Baresi Dolci - Green with a crisp texture and delicate sweet taste.
Black Cerignola - Black, full flavored, sweet, and juicy with a meaty texture.
San Remo - Greenish-brown to purplish-black with a delicate artichoke-like flavor.
Saracena - Green or black with a salty, earthy flavor, usually packed in olive oil.
Sicilian - Large, green, and sour, sometimes marinated with herbs or stuffed with pimiento.