Fried Olives: The Tapas Recipe You Must Try This Summer

A Surprising Delicacy

Olives are one of the most appreciated appetizers in countries like Spain, France and Italy (and not only!) They are usually served to accompany a drink, they can be stuffed with anchovies or served as they are, and they are so tasty that we all have them at home. Well, for some time now, an extraordinary recipe has been circulating on TikTok: stuffed and battered olives. The idea is not new, since it is an Italian recipe known as olive all' ascolana. Let's take a look at the recipe!

Olives are adored in Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Italy, and usually accompany a beverage. They can be served plain, or stuffed with chilis, anchovies, garlic, or even bacon!

They're the little, salty snack that people often can't get enough of, and it's a good idea to have a jar stored in the pantry in order to imress any unexpected guests.

If you have planned guests visiting soon though, why not go all out and really wow them with olive all'alscolana, the old-school Italian appetizer that's made a reappearance, and is tickly the tastebuds of TikTokers all over the world.

Let's check out the tasty trend!

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion (diced)
• 1 carrot (diced)
• 1/4 stick celery (diced)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 5 oz. lean pork (diced)
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1/2 tbsp lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 
  
• 1 lb. green olives (pitted)
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• 1 lb. green olives (pitted)
• 1/2 onion (diced)
• 1 carrot (diced)
• 1/4 stick celery (diced)
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 5 oz. lean pork (diced)
• 12 large eggs
• 1/2 tbsp lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fine breadcrumbs
• 2 cups frying oil

Instructions

1. Heat a tbsp of oil in a medium-sized skillet. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 5 mins. 
2. Add the meat, season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the meat turns brown. Add  the white wine, nutmeg, lemon zest, and cheese. Mix well.
3. Cook over medium-heat for 7 mins. allowing the liquid to evaporate. Cool for 20 mins.
4. Meanwhile, cut the tops off the olives, and stuff with the mixture. They should be swollen.
5. Prepare three bowls, and put the eggs in once, the flour in the second, and the breadcrumbs in the third. Roll each olive in the eggs, then flour, then breadcrumbs. When they have all been coated, let them sit for 30 mins. Then repeat so that they're coated a second time.
6. In a large skillet, heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil. When hot, fry the olives in batches for 5 mins, making sure all sides are coated.
7. Lay a few layers of kitchen towl on a plate, and once the olives are ready, put them on the kitchen towl and let them cool down for 15 mins.
8. Serve alone of with a creamy dipping sauce and some meats and cheese.
9. In a large skillet, heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil. When hot, fry the olives in batches for 5 mins, making sure all sides are coated.
10. Lay several layers of kitchen towl on a plate, and once the olives are ready, put them on the kitchen towl and let them cool down for 15 mins.
11. Serve alone of with a creamy dipping sauce and some meats and cheese.
12. Serve with a creamy dipping sauce and enjoy!

Good to Know

These delicious Ascoli Olives date way back to ancient Rome, where olives in brine were considered a daily staple within the Roman diet. Allegedly, green olives provided a heap of benefits for to the Roman army, who regularly snacked on them. They were nutritious, and their size made them easy to carry on long journeys.  Tasty and versatile!