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    Home » Appetizers

    Marinated Olives with Walnuts (Zeytoon Parvardeh)

    Published: Mar 30, 2018 · Modified: Dec 28, 2020 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Marinated olives made Persian style with walnuts and pomegranate molasses.

    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!

    Jump to:
    • What makes this marinated olives recipe different than others?
    • How to make marinated olives with walnuts?
    • Notes and tips to make this Recipe:
    • More Persian Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe
    THE COMPLETE PERSIAN FOOD BUNDLE INCLUDES…

    Can we please take a moment and talk about my obsession with pomegranates and walnuts? From Fesenjan 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.

    To make marinated olives. you need olives, walnuts, pomegranate molasses, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and mint.

    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.

    To make these marinated olives, mix all the ingredients, pour pomegranate molasses into the bowl and mix well.

    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.
    Let the marinated olives chill in the fridge for at least a night.

    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.

    Serve marinated olives as an appetizer or side dish with different rice dishes.

    More Persian Recipes

    • Persian Love Muffins Recipe
    • Persian Celery Stew - Khoresht Karafs
    • Kotlet (Persian Meat Patties)
    • Persian Pickles with Tomatoes - Torshi Mashhadi

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Marinated Olives with Walnuts

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Marinated Olives made Persian style! Delicious olives marinated with walnuts, pomegranate molasses and herbs make a fantastic combination that is full of flavor!
    4.8 from 35 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Chilling time 2 hrs
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine Persian
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 267 kcal

    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

    1. 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. 
    2. 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. 
    3. If fresh mint is not available, use two tablespoons dried mint. 
    4. 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

    Calories: 267kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 661mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 297IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

    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!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stacey Doyle

      November 16, 2019 at 2:06 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        November 19, 2019 at 11:25 am

        Hi Stacey, they keep in the fridge for up to 3 days!

        Reply
    2. Carol

      November 15, 2019 at 9:01 am

      Hi I have this marinating right now and I did half my olives. How should I serve it? With crackers?

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        November 18, 2019 at 7:59 am

        Hi Carol, sorry for seeing this comment late. You can serve these marinated olives with cheese or as a side to your main dish.

        Reply
    3. Avi

      November 04, 2019 at 5:43 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        November 19, 2019 at 11:56 am

        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 🙂

        Reply
    4. Ritu

      November 03, 2019 at 5:26 am

      5 stars
      They look amazing. Is it possible to freeze them. How long will they last if frozen.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        November 04, 2019 at 5:17 am

        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.

        Reply
        • Ritu

          November 06, 2019 at 7:15 am

          5 stars
          Thanks a lot for replying Shadi. I made them and they are delicious.

    5. Radhika

      August 31, 2019 at 1:32 am

      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?

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        August 31, 2019 at 1:08 pm

        That's pomegranate molasses 🙂

        Reply
    6. Sally

      July 05, 2019 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        July 15, 2019 at 6:00 am

        Hi Sally! Thank you for your comment. Yes, love that pickled garlic, it's so good!

        Reply
    7. Helen O'Brien

      January 18, 2019 at 3:24 am

      I added balsamic glaze for a bit more of a kick.. Delicious

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        January 20, 2019 at 12:20 pm

        Sounds so good Helen! Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Kathy

      April 05, 2018 at 5:00 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 06, 2018 at 3:48 pm

        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 🙂

        Reply
    9. Danielle

      April 05, 2018 at 5:35 am

      5 stars
      I have GOT to make these! I never heard of marinated olives, but am loving this recipe. Totally pinned for later!

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 05, 2018 at 5:53 am

        Thank you Danielle! These marinated olives are so addictive. They are so easy and simple, yet the flavor is to die for!

        Reply
    10. Susie

      April 02, 2018 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 03, 2018 at 6:47 am

        Thank you Susie! These are really good!

        Reply
    11. Natalie

      April 02, 2018 at 6:47 am

      5 stars
      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 ♥

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 02, 2018 at 6:54 am

        Hope you give this one a try!

        Reply
    12. Claudia Lamascolo

      April 02, 2018 at 6:45 am

      I have always wanted a recipe to marinate olives I can eat them everyday I love them so much ! thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 03, 2018 at 6:49 am

        Glad you like these!

        Reply
    13. Ann

      April 02, 2018 at 6:40 am

      5 stars
      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).

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 03, 2018 at 6:54 am

        Thank you! These go well with almost anything!

        Reply
    14. Demeter

      April 02, 2018 at 6:35 am

      5 stars
      Ooh this looks so good! Olives are the best. 🙂 And btw, that pomegranate guac sounds amazing!

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 03, 2018 at 6:55 am

        Thank you Demeter! We love both, too!

        Reply
    15. Chrissy

      April 02, 2018 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 03, 2018 at 7:04 am

        Hope you give this recipe a try! It's unique and delicious!

        Reply
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