Marinated olives made Persian style! Try delicious olives marinated with walnuts, pomegranate molasses and herbs - a fantastic combination that is full of flavor!
Olives are a big part of my food life, I simply cannot imagine a day goes by without me munching on a dozen olives, especially if I have these exceptionally delicious olives in my fridge!
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Can we please take a moment and talk about my obsession with pomegranates and walnuts? From Fesenjan and pomegranate chicken to pomegranate guacamole and walnut pomegranate cheese ball to stuffed fish with pomegranates and walnuts, my love for this unique combo is something I can't deny. It's the ultimate ingredient combo!
The recipe I'm showing you today represents two members of Team Good Fat: walnuts and extra virgin olive oil, both containing fat that is good for your body and are also very delicious! We try to use good fats in different recipes as much as possible because they help our bodies function better and make us feel so much better!
These Persian marinated olives, called Zeytoon Parvardeh, are another creation based on my favorite flavor combination. They're a tasty twist on the usual marinated olives. They are tangy because of pomegranate molasses, nutty thanks to walnuts, and absolutely addictive. They are originally from the northern part of Iran, particularly Guilan province, and are usually made with Choochagh, a local herb that's only found in northern Iran. Here in the US, the closest herb to that would be mint.
What makes this marinated olives recipe different than others?
The ingredients used in making these Persian style olives are what makes this recipe unique. the acidity of pomegranate molasses mixed with mint and infused into olives makes a great combo that is completed by the use of walnuts which bring creaminess and a subtle balance of flavor to the recipe.
How to make marinated olives with walnuts?
Start with olives. Green olives are best for this recipe. Place them in a bowl and add walnuts, chopped mint, garlic and walnuts to it. Next, add in pomegranate molasses and olive oil. Using a spoon, mix all the ingredients well until they're fully combined. It's important to refrigerate these for at least an hour before serving. However, I suggest refrigerating for one or two days so the flavors are fully infused and combined.
Notes and tips to make this Recipe:
- This Persian spicy marinated olives recipe with walnuts and pomegranates calls for green olives. Depending on the size of the olives, you can either use them whole or chopped.
- Walnuts can be used chopped or ground in this recipe. Traditionally, walnuts are ground and mixed with garlic, salt, mint, pomegranate molasses and olive oil to form a paste, then mixed with olives.
- The more these olives stay in the fridge, the tastier they get.
- If you're a big garlic fan, add more than seven cloves to this recipe.
- Serve marinated olives with barbecue, grilled meat, rice dishes or even sandwiches.
These marinated olives are so dear to my heart that we used to have them every time we visited northern Iran, my dad would stop at this row of olive shops and we would go inside every shop, try their Zeytoon Parvardeh and buy some. We would literally buy them from every shop because each of them had their own personal addition that would make their recipe special and unique. Now here in America, far away from where these marinated olives where first born, I'm making my very own zeytoon parvardeh with walnuts that are just as good as the ones we used to have on the road. I'm so thankful that my food memory is strong enough to recreate flavors of years ago.
I hope you give this classic Persian recipe a try and enjoy it!
This post is sponsored by California Walnuts. As always, all opinions are mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Unicorns in the Kitchen.
More Persian Recipes
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Step-by-Step Recipe
Marinated Olives with Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups Green Olives See Note #1
- 1 ½ cup Finely Chopped Walnuts See Note #2
- 7 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 cup Fresh Mint Chopped (See Note #3)
- ⅔ cup Pomegranate Molasses See Note #4
- 4 tablespoon Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Place olives, walnuts, garlic and mint in a large bowl, stir well.
- Add in pomegranate molasses and olive oil. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
- Season with salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
- Serve cold.
Notes
- Some like the olives to be whole and some like them chopped, this completely depends on you. If you decide to chop them, make sure the pieces are not too small.
- Walnuts can be either chopped or ground. If you grind the walnuts, the combination with the rest of the ingredients (except the olives) will form a paste which is how it looks like in Persian shops in the North of Iran.
- If fresh mint is not available, use two tablespoons dried mint.
- Start with ⅔ cup pomegranate molasses, add more after two hours of chilling if you'd like the marinated olives to be more sour.
Nutrition
Have you made this recipe? Let us know by commenting and rating on this recipe. Take a picture and tag @unicornsinthekitchen and #unicornsinthekitchen for a chance to be featured!
Stacey Doyle
How long will they keep in the fridge? I want to serve them on Thanksgiving. They look amazing. I made my own pomegranate molasses yesterday. It’s delicious!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Stacey, they keep in the fridge for up to 3 days!
Carol
Hi I have this marinating right now and I did half my olives. How should I serve it? With crackers?
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Carol, sorry for seeing this comment late. You can serve these marinated olives with cheese or as a side to your main dish.
Avi
Intriguing! When you say "fresh green olives", I'm assuming that you don't mean fresh off the tree, but rather pickled? So you mean in a simple brine, just salt mostly? I'd really like to try this.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Avi, yes, actually I love using jarred olives and not the canned ones. The brine in the jarred ones taste so much better in my opinion 🙂
Ritu
They look amazing. Is it possible to freeze them. How long will they last if frozen.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Ritu. Unfortunately these don't freeze well but you can keep them in the fridge for up to a week. Hope this is helpful.
Ritu
Thanks a lot for replying Shadi. I made them and they are delicious.
Radhika
This looks yummy,want to try it...but in the picture we can see u r pouring in a dark vineger kind looking syrup.What is it?
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
That's pomegranate molasses 🙂
Sally
I’m trying this today! Just discovered your site and can’t wait to explore.. I make a Permian pickled garlic that stores in the fridge for years. Do you know It? I would be happy to share. Good wishes, Sally
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Sally! Thank you for your comment. Yes, love that pickled garlic, it's so good!
Helen O'Brien
I added balsamic glaze for a bit more of a kick.. Delicious
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Sounds so good Helen! Enjoy!
Kathy
I really enjoy trying unusual products together. This marinated olive recipe looks beautiful and sounds easy but exotic! I've never heard of pomegranate molasses before. I cannot buy it locally but looked on Amazon and I can get it there. When looking, I did get confused about whuch one to get. Some were labeled paste, some a glaze, or syrup, etc. Do you have a particular brand you like or can you guve some suggestions? I look forward to trying your recipe! Thank you.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Kathy! Thank you for your comment, Cortas and Al Wadi are both pomegranate molasses brands that I like. I hope you try and enjoy this recipe 🙂
Danielle
I have GOT to make these! I never heard of marinated olives, but am loving this recipe. Totally pinned for later!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Danielle! These marinated olives are so addictive. They are so easy and simple, yet the flavor is to die for!
Susie
I LOVE olives and love to buy marinated olives, but would love to make my own at home. These look great. Thanks for the awesome Recipe!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Susie! These are really good!
Natalie
I love olives and I rarely make anything with them other than eat it as they are. This looks and sounds so delicious! I love the walnuts addition ♥
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you give this one a try!
Claudia Lamascolo
I have always wanted a recipe to marinate olives I can eat them everyday I love them so much ! thanks for sharing
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Glad you like these!
Ann
I love this flavor combination! I would totally chop this up and put on some grilled fish or chicken (or just inhale it on its own haha).
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you! These go well with almost anything!
Demeter
Ooh this looks so good! Olives are the best. 🙂 And btw, that pomegranate guac sounds amazing!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Demeter! We love both, too!
Chrissy
So I've never really been a huge olive fan - but holy moly, these look amazing! That mint and pomegranate molasses just sound so delicious in here.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you give this recipe a try! It's unique and delicious!