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I'm obsessed with Barcelona, Spain. Or perhaps, more specifically, I'm obsessed with its food! I've been twice in the past 3 years (and have another trip planned in April!), and aftereach 9-hour flight, my very first stop is La Boqueria.
At this point, it's become a tradition, which my foodie-loving daughter happily shares with me. Why La Boqueria? Simply because the markethas themost amazing variety of fresh food offerings, from fruits and veggies, to meats (don't leave without sampling Jamon Iberico!), seafood and other Spanish delicacies— it's a feast for the senses!
In the interior of themarket, you'll find barswith the most incredibleSpanish tapas. It's these small plates of food that make me want to return to Spain again and again. Noshing on tapas in Spain is the equivalent of enjoyinggelato in Italy — there's nowhere else in the world quite like it!
With that being said, I still like to create some of the flavors of my travels at home, to enjoy with my family whenever we feel like. Tapas are great for dinner, get-togethers or even just as a snack with a glass of wine. Some of my favorite tapas recipes are the most simple, using Olives from Spain.
As an olive lover, there isn't any particular variety that I'd pass up, but there is something special about the flavor of Olives from Spain. Here's somefacts about Olives from Spain.
Most olivesconsumed inthe U.S. areOlives fromSpain.The United States is themain destination of Olives from Spain, importing morethan 155 million lbs., worth more than $205 million.
Olives from Spain are a naturally sugar-free food and contain monounsaturated fats, which can improve cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Spain’s sunny weather, temperate winters and rich, fertile soil are idyllic for growing the perfect olive. The olives are carefully hand-picked one by one to avoid damaging the fruit. The main olive growing regions in Spain are Andalusia and Extremadura.
Sweet, salty, bitter and sour, Olives from Spain are extremelyversatile in cooking pizzas, salads, pastas, rice, meat, fish,co*cktails and stews.
And did you know that green and black olives are the same variety, the only difference it their color at the point that they are harvested?
Green olives are harvested at their optimum ripening period for a smoked flavor. Semi-ripe olives have an attractive pinkish, wine-colored hue. Ripe olives are harvested just before or when they are completely ripe.
Ripe Black olives are harvested before they ripen, and are specially treated for their color and to eliminate bitterness. Once fully processed, the Ripe Black olive is both mild and subdued and has a light, versatile flavor
Here's two, super easy, two-minute tapas recipes made with Olives from Spain: Black Olive Tapenade & Green Olive Hummus.
Black Olive Tapenade Recipe
Black Olive Tapenade Ingredients:
1 cup of Black olives from Spain
1 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
How to Make Black Olive Tapenade
Add all ingredients in a food processor or blender, pulsing until olives are chopped and ingredients are combined. This is for a chunky consistency. You could also puree until smooth.
Green Olive Hummus Recipe
Green Olive Hummus Ingredients:
One 15-ounce can garbanzo beans
¼ cup tahini
Juice of ½ lemon
1 tablespoongarlic, minced
8green Olives from Spain
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
How to Make Green Olive Hummus
Add all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.
About Olives from Spain
Spain has such a rich history that is linked to olives – with trees for table olives growing in the country since the 1st century. There is a wide range of varieties, types and forms of presentation. Spain is the leader in table olive production and exports, with the most modern industry in the world leading to the highest food safety and quality standards.
Olives from Spain are more versatile than olives from any other region – get creative, and find out why they can add life to any party.Be sure to look for the Olives From Spain logo, to ensure you are getting the highest quality olives and taste the difference for yourself.
Compensation was provided by Olives from Spain via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Olives from Spain or Momtrends.
Eating 7 olives per day is recommended together with a balanced diet. WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Table olives are an essential product of the Mediterranean Diet that are good for our health and are part of the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the Mediterranean.
As mentioned before, its unique curing process paves the way for a remarkable flavor profile. Unlike other table olives, which often offer tart and pungent flavors, the Castelvetrano olive is characterized by a natural buttery and creamy flavor, complemented by a mild brininess.
Compared with olives, olive oil is far lower in sodium. It's also a more concentrated source of fat, as it lacks fiber and other nutrients. One serving of olive oil is about one tablespoon and provides 120 calories, all of them from fat. Both olives and olive oil are high in polyphenols and antioxidants, however.
Olives and olive oil share many healthy properties. Both contain heart-healthy fat and other nutrients like vitamins E and K, as well as some key minerals. They both may help to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise “good” HDL cholesterol. And olives have the additional benefit of fiber.
Compared to butter and margarine, olive oil spreads contain less saturated fat and more monounsaturated fat, which is known to help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. In addition, they are a rich source of antioxidants, which can protect against inflammation and oxidative damage.
Usually, olive oil is best used as a substitute for butter in baking recipes that call specifically for liquid butter. In these cases, olive oil should be substituted for butter in a 3:4 ratio by volume. So if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, then you would use ¾ cup of olive oil.
One can eat olives at any time of the day. However, they are rich in healthy fats. Therefore one can eat them before bedtime if one wishes to have a healthy nighttime snack. In addition, they balance blood sugar, help you feel fuller, and aid in a good night's sleep.
They're a great source of fibre, which helps us digest foods properly. What's more, fibre, as well as preventing or relieving constipation, helps us to maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.
Kalamata olives are rich in MUFAs — namely oleic acid — which are linked to a lower risk of heart disease ( 17 ). Research suggests that oleic acid may reduce inflammation associated with obesity.
Olives provide many health benefits, but they are still relatively high in fat. Canned olives are often packed in brine, which makes them high in sodium (salt). Just one green olive contains 62.4 milligrams of sodium, so salt content can add up quickly.
Dogs can eat olives in moderation. They contain many vitamins and minerals important for human health, though dogs fed a complete and balanced diet don't need these additional nutrients. However, plain, unsalted olives can be a healthy snack for your pup.
Typically, olives yield 17-20% oil when ripe and overripe, but the percentage can range from 10-30% depending on the variety and the ripeness of the fruit.
Typically the yield of oil from olives is 9 – 15%. That means 10kg olives might give you one litre of oil. There are lots of factors that determine yield.
11 Pounds of Olives = 1 Quart of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
You read that correctly – 11 POUNDS of freshly picked olives are needed to produce just one quart (32 ounces) of extra virgin olive oil. To further put that into perspective, most mature olive trees will only produce 33-44 pounds of olives each growing season.
A tablespoon (about 14 grams) of olive oil contains the following nutrients ( 5 ): Calories: 119. Saturated fat: 14% of total calories. Monounsaturated fat: 73% of total calories (mostly oleic acid)
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Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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