Monthly Archives: July 2016

The Inside Scoop on Jeff’s Naturals Jalapeno Stuffed Olives

Natural food consumers everywhere are in for a treat this summer. Many of our most popular items from our all-natural line of olives, peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes are going to be on special in retails stores all over the country!

Now is the perfect time to try something new, especially if it’s something as delicious as our Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

Here are answers to many common questions we get about these delightful snack olives. Hope this helps!

Jalapeno-Stuffed-OlivesQ: Why would you stuff jalapeño peppers into olives?

A: The combination of these two ingredients results in a crisp savory olive with just the right balance of heat and savory olive flavor.

Q: Do they make a good appetizer?

A: Absolutely! You can enjoy them right out of the jar or pair it with wine and cheese for an decadent treat. Since these olives tend to have a little more zing than some of the others, you’ll want to pair them with milder, fruiter dry wines such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and young, fresh un-aged cheeses like goat cheese, mozzarella and ricotta. FYI, they are also delicious with a frosty margarita on a hot summer day.

Q: Are your Jalapeño peppers fresh and sourced locally?

A: Yes. We use locally grown jalapeño peppers sourced from Central Valley California family farms typically late May through November. Within 24 hours of harvest, the jalapeños are shipped to our Napa Valley facility and packed within twenty-four hours of harvest. The faster they are packed the more heat and fresh-picked flavor they retain.

Q: What about your olives, where do they come from?

A: We use large Spanish-style olives, prized for their firm texture and buttery taste, imported from the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Because of our longstanding relationships with our growers in Europe, we are able to procure the finest quality olives from each harvest.

Q: How do the jalapeño peppers get inside the olives?

A: Once the ingredients reach our production facility in Napa Valley, California, each olive is painstakingly hand stuffed with a jalapeño strip within 24 hours and packed.

Q: What are some different ways a person can serve them?

A: Because this item has a little bit of heat and a lot of flavor, there are unlimited ways they can be enjoyed. Many of our consumers enjoy them in their salads, in breakfast omelets and in pasta dishes. Here are some other ideas:

Do you have some other ideas on how to wake up your palette with parings and serving ideas using Jeff’s Naturals products? Let us know, we’d love to hear!

The Jeff’s Naturals Guide to Perfect Picnics

There is nothing like sharing a picnic with loved ones on a beautiful summer day, especially for those of us lucky enough to live in Napa Valley California! Even you if you don’t live in California’s blissful wine country, a perfect picnic can take place any time, anywhere if you follow these simple tips:

1. Keep it light and simple. Think finger foods that are tasty and easy to transport.

2. It’s always better to prepare just a few things and do them well.

3. Don’t pack anything sweet and sticky. Avoid food items such as ice cream, puddings, fruity drinks, etc unless you want to attract insects.

4. Pack everything in lightweight, resealable containers.

5. Keep everything cold. Use ice packs, or fill a couple of resealable bags with ice cubes. One of our favorite tips is to freeze small bottles of water and juice ahead of time so they will keep food cool and you can enjoy a cold drink when you reach your picnic spot!

6. Avoid foods that can spoil in warm sun. Anything with mayonnaise based dressings, eggs and dairy (though certain cheeses will work well) can spoil easily. Recipes like the ones below would be easier to keep at a safe temperature picnic:

Peperoncini Potato Salad
Baja Fruit Salad
New! Mexican Marinated Salad
Mediterranean Salad
Black Bean & Roasted Red Pepper Salsa
Cheese Stuffed Fried Green Olives
Spinach and Feta Olive Turnovers
Pasta Nicoise

7. Don’t forget any essentials! Follow this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need for your outing.

☐ Casual and easy food and snacks: Sandwiches, Crudités, Chips, Fruit Salad, Cheese, Smoked Meat, Crackers, light side dishes and salads

☐ Plenty of drinks: Water Bottles, Juice Boxes, Wine or Beer (if allowed)

☐ Napkins

☐ Inexpensive cups and plates from your favorite discount store

☐ Utensils

☐ Resealable/Ziploc bags filled with ice cubes

☐ Place mats or table cover

☐ Blanket large enough to accommodate your food and company

☐ Towels to clean up spills or messes (Cloth or Paper)

☐ Trash Bag(s)

☐ Cutting Board

☐ Serrated Knife (wrap the blade in a kitchen towel)

☐ Condiments: Packets of ketchup or mustard or mini jars

☐ Salt and pepper

☐ Plenty of water (again)

☐ Tongs and/or serving spoons

☐ Corkscrew or bottle opener

☐ Moist towelettes

☐ Sunscreen

☐ Bug Spray

Toss in some jars of Jeff’s Naturals products to add a little gourmet flair to your outing!

Jeff's Naturals PicNic
Photo Credit: Bethany Ugarte