On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, the best of the best in food and spirits industry gathered in New York City for Spain’s Great Match. The annual event showcases over 200 wines from regions all over Spain, as well as signature tapas from some of NYC’s top Spanish restaurants. Reds, whites and cavas were all being poured in ample amounts and with so many to choose from, it’s hard to decide what wineries to sample. All in all, it was a great day for wine lovers, and Spain lovers in general!
While the event predominantly showcases amazing Spanish wines, there were a few Spanish edibles there, as well. Olives From Spain really caught our attention and we had the opportunity to learn all about one of the most you-either-love-it-or-hate-it treats around.
Spain is one of the world’s biggest producers of olives, owing to the fact that their climate provides the ideal conditions to grow the best of this fruit (yes, olives are a fruit!). Olives, whether consumed plain or in a dish, provide a lot of nutrients, making for a great addition to any diet. One serving (7 large olives) contains only 35 calories and 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, which helps to improve cholesterol levels, as well as decent doses of iron and fiber.
Additionally, we were surprised to learn that black olives and green olives are not two different types of olives, but are simply picked at different heights of ripeness. Black olives are harvested before they ripen and are thus very mild, while green olives are harvested at their peak ripening period, creating a smoked flavor. Those reddish pinkish olives you sometimes find are semi-ripe.
During Spain’s Great Match, we tried both green and black olives, each prepared in different and delicious ways. Our favorite treat comprised of black olives and orange marinade, with black pitted Spanish olives, diced orange, peppermint, EVOO and currants. This recipe was mild and refreshing. Another standout were the queen olives stuffed with goat cheese. This marinade included queen olives, goat cheese, apple, honey and EVOO. We couldn’t get enough! Stay tuned on the blog in the following weeks to get some amazing recipes using Olives From Spain!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored article for which I received compensation. All opinions are my own.
Twisted Talk: Are you an olive lover? Were any of these olive facts surprising to you? Discuss below!
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