Citrus Marinated Olives Feta (Printable)

Tangy olives and feta combined with citrus zest, herbs, and olive oil for a fresh Mediterranean snack.

# What You Need:

→ Olives & Cheese

01 - 7 oz mixed olives (green and black, pitted if desired)
02 - 5.3 oz feta cheese, cut into 0.8 inch cubes

→ Citrus & Aromatics

03 - Zest of 1 lemon
04 - Zest of 1 orange
05 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
06 - 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
07 - 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
08 - 1 small shallot, thinly sliced

→ Herbs & Seasoning

09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
12 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Marinade

14 - 3.4 fl oz extra virgin olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, place the mixed olives and feta cheese cubes.
02 - Incorporate the lemon and orange zest along with fresh lemon and orange juices into the bowl.
03 - Add thinly sliced garlic and shallot, then sprinkle in chopped parsley, oregano, chili flakes if desired, black pepper, and sea salt.
04 - Pour extra virgin olive oil over all ingredients and gently toss to ensure thorough coating.
05 - Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 24 hours to develop flavors.
06 - Bring to room temperature before serving, stir gently, and enjoy with crusty bread or as part of a mezze platter.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes better the longer it sits, so you can make it days ahead and forget about it until guests arrive.
  • The salty olives and creamy feta soak up all that citrus and garlic, turning into something way more interesting than the sum of its parts.
  • You can serve it straight from the fridge or let it come to room temperature, and either way it disappears fast.
02 -
  • Dont skip bringing it to room temperature, cold feta is firm and the oil stays cloudy and thick.
  • If you marinate longer than a day, the garlic gets stronger, which some people love and others find too sharp.
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to get wide strips of citrus zest for a more dramatic look, then slice them thin.
  • If you cant find good feta, a firm goat cheese works in a pinch and brings a tangy creaminess.

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