Giada De Laurentiis' Favorite Snack: Warm Marinated Olives with Orange & Rosemary
Buttery Castelvetrano and Kalamata olives gently warmed in extra-virgin olive oil infused with orange peel, toasted fennel, and fresh rosemary.
- Ready in 10 minutes: Warm heat releases olive oil aromatics instantly.
- Castelvetrano olives offer a buttery, mild sweetness that non-olive lovers adore.
- Makes your home smell like an Italian trattoria.
In Rome, aperitivo hour begins with a small glass of wine and warm marinated olives. Giada's secret is combining floral orange zest with earthy fennel seeds and garlic.
Warming the olives relaxes the fats and allows the infused herbs to penetrate straight to the pit.
Giada De Laurentiis' Favorite Snack: Warm Marinated Olives with Orange & Rosemary
When asked about her go-to daily snack, Giada De Laurentiis always names olives—specifically, buttery bright green Castelvetrano olives. Warming them gently in extra-virgin olive oil with aromatic citrus zest and herbs transforms everyday grocery olives into a high-end Roman aperitivo bar experience.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed unpitted olives (Castelvetrano and Kalamata)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 wide strips fresh orange peel (colored zest only)
- 2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary & 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp whole fennel seeds, lightly crushed
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Directions
Warm Olive Oil & Aromatics
In a small saucepan, combine olive oil, orange peel strips, crushed garlic, rosemary, thyme, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. Heat over low heat for 3 minutes until fragrant.
Add Olives
Add the olives to the warm seasoned oil. Stir gently to coat and warm through for 3 to 5 minutes on low heat (do not let the oil fry or boil).
Serve Warm
Transfer olives and infused oil to a shallow serving bowl. Serve warm with rustic bread for dipping.
💡 CHEF'S PRO TIPS
- Use unpitted olives: Olives kept on the pit retain far superior firmness and moisture compared to pitted varieties.
Nutrition Facts
Per ServingCommunity Reviews & Ratings
1 cooks have shared their thoughts on this recipe
So easy and so sophisticated! Everyone at my dinner party devoured these with crusty sourdough.