Spicy Moroccan Marinated Olives
Moroccan marinated olives are part of Moroccan’s everyday life. When you visit Morocco and head to the local market, you can’t but notice the dozens of olive shops, colorful, fragrant and always full with Moroccan clients.
Moroccan marinated olives are an essential part of every Moroccan kitchen. Growing up in Morocco, we used to have jars of these olives in our kitchen, each jar with a different taste and a different olive mix. Then, we would serve them as side dishes to the Moroccan tagines, or as an main component of Morocco gourmet brunches.
Black marinated olives are the most popular kind. They are often quite minimalist in taste, and not very spicy. Moroccan people like to enjoy them during breakfast with some Moroccan mint tea, home-baked bread, and fresh goat cheese. Just DELICIOUS!
The other versions of marinated olives (red, green, orange and yellow) can go from mild to extremely spicy hot. They are commonly used to decorate Moroccan tajines, salads and accompany other delicious traditional dishes.
Whenever I go to Morocco, I come back with a few pounds of Moroccan marinated olives, and whenever I run out, I make some following my mother’s recipe below. You will love them , I promise!
The most challenging part is to find good natural olives to make your recipe. I will link below some brands I like to use. The most important part is to choose olives that are natural with only some salt and no other flavors or spices.
If you like your food a little bit spicy, make sure you use the Harissa paste I will mention in my recipe below. The Harissa paste will give your olives a delicious taste and an addictive spiciness. This hot paste is natural, delicious, and you can use it in your kitchen as you use your other spicy sauces. It’s really versatile.
The Moroccan spicy olives recipe below will be perfect as a starter or aperitif. You can also chop the olives and add them to stews, salads and sandwiches. They add a delicious exotic flavor and make any basic recipe much more interesting.
Oh, and if you love spoiling your family and friends like me, these Moroccan marinated olives will make a great gift. Just put the marinated olives in a cute air-tight jar, and you are good to go!
Moroccan marinated olives recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ pound green natural olives
- ¼ pound black natural olives
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- 2 small cloves of garlic, pressed
- ½ lemon zest
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tbsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 dried bay leaves
- ½ tbsp harissa paste optional but adds a delicious spicy flavor!
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except the olives
- Add the olives and mix well making sure they are well coated with the spices
- Reserve in a glass jar and keep in the fridge up to 1 week
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wonderful like the ones I had in Morocco
thank you for this easy recipes, the marinated olives were divine
great as an aperitif
with artisan bread, cheese, and some red wine, they were the perfect addition to my party. this recipe is a winner!
so so yummy
made them yesterday and everyone loved them. thank you for sharing your family recipe with us
Thank you
I woke this morning dreaming of a walk to the cafe, a cafe noir, some eggs with bread, and most of all a big bowl of olives. Then I realized it’s still Covid, I’m still stuck in America, there will be no breakfast, no Eid, no Morocco today. And then I found this recipe for olives and I made a whole jar full. The scent while I made it made me smile (and cry a little). I can’t wait to let them sit over night, and tomorrow enjoy them with eggs and bread.
Response from Moroccanzest
Hi Andira, We feel you!! These are hard times but things will get better soon. Borders are slowly opening in Morocco, and hopefully traveling will be possible starting this fall.
For some authentic Moroccan recipes, don’t hesitate to check our Moroccan recipes list. You will love making them, I’m sure!
From design and decor to food and travel, moroccanzest is the space where I share what I loved growing up in Morocco, and more. It’s your destination for everything beautiful, artistic, and made the Moroccan way with love.
Learn more about me here.
