**Category Archives: Castelvetrano Olives

Farro Salad

Five “Farr-Out” Reasons to Love Farro + Two Great Recipes to Try!

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Roasted Bell Peppers & Caramelized Onions, Soups & Salads, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spring Farro and Castelvetrano Salad full size

As you plan your next meal, why not try cooking with farro, the ancient grain with tremendous health benefits?

Farro is a whole grain wheat, larger than barley grain and possessing a similar taste. It’s very simple to cook on a stovetop, also great when prepared in a rice maker or a pressure cooker. It’s often used as an alternative to rice or pasta for all the nutritious qualities it contains.

Interested yet? Check out our top five reasons to love farro:

#1 Great Way to Up Your Vitamin B3 & Magnesium Intake
Farro is an excellent source of Vitamin B3, instrumental in improving your body’s metabolism. It’s also a great choice for your daily dose of Magnesium, which strengthens your blood pressure, bone strength, and overall cardiac health.

#2- This Supergrain is Rich in Anti-Oxidants
The anti-oxidants present in farro help prevent degenerative diseases and general cardiovascular problems.

#3 Great Source of Protein
Yes, it’s true! Farro contains about 15% protein, with 7 grams of protein found in a single serving!

#4 Cholesterol-Free
Not only is farro cholesterol-free, a full bowl has 8 grams of cholesterol-lowering fiber in it! An excellent choice for anyone watching their weight.

#5 Contains Complex Carbohydrates
The complex carbohydrates present in farro extend its digestion time, thus leaving you with more energy throughout the day.

So now you know why you should be cooking with farro but you may be wondering how to cook with it?

Consider these easy-to-make recipes below using Jeff’s Garden line of certified non-GMO olives & peppers as an entry point into the delicious world of farro.

 

Farr-Out Recipe #1: Castelvetrano Spring Farro Salad

Recipe: Castelvetrano Spring Farro Salad
Prep Time: 10 min   Total Time: 25 min   Serves: 4-6

Chefs Note:  Feel free to play with this recipe and use any vegetable or herb in season.  Asparagus, green beans, thyme or basil would all be wonderful. It will taste the best when the produce is the freshest!

Farr-Out Recipe #2: Farro Salad with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives

Farro Salad with Blue Cheese-Stuffed Olives, Apples and Roasted Garlic
Prep Time: 5 min | Total Time: 20 min | Serves: 4-6

 

For more delicious and healthy recipes head on over to our Recipes page.

Can You Guess Which Celebrity is a Fan of Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano Olives?

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The Jeff’s Garden family had a wonderful surprise this week! Imagine our glee when we opened the October 2018 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine and happened upon an article about actress Tracee Ellis Ross where she claims to be a fan of our Castelvetrano Olives! It just so happens that we are also huge fans of Tracee Ellis Ross- what a wonderful coincidence!

Jeff's Naturals Castelvetrano Olives

We have to put our giddiness aside for a moment to brag about these delicious treats boasting a unique nutty, buttery flavor, mild brine, and wonderful natural green color! These memorable olives are a favorite snack olive in Italy and growing in popularity in the United States.

Jeff’s Garden Castelvetrano Olives are ideal for elevating a variety of recipes any time of the day (or for snacking straight from the jar like Tracee Ellis Ross)! Here are a few easy ways to enjoy this delicious treat around the clock.

 

BREAKFAST
Enjoy them first thing in the morning with this simple Mediterranean inspired Baked Eggs with Olives dish.

LUNCH
Make your lunch hour your “power-hour” and fuel up with energizing and satisfying Heirloom and Castelvetrano Tuna Salad

DINNER
Add flavor to braised meat dishes by adding Castelvetrano Olives and elevate your dinner table with elegant side dishes like this Spring Farro & Castelvetrano Salad & Kale & Citrus Salad using fresh, seasonal veggies and herbs.

Create this fast & easy side dish by adding pitted, sliced Jeff’s Garden Castelvetrano Olives to hot couscous, along with salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, sliced green onions, and chopped flat-leaf parsley. You can also create a delightful salad by tossing pitted Castelvetrano Olives with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette.

SNACKTIME
Serve Jeff’s Garden Castelvetrano Olives as a quick and addictive snack by themselves or alongside Spanish Marcona almonds and Manchego cheese.

Stir a splash of white wine into basil pesto and toss with a bowl of Castelvetrano Olives to for a unique and flavorful snack. You can also deepen the flavor of Castelvetrano Olives by roasting them in the oven before serving. For color, sprinkle in a bit of orange zest and serve warm!

Host your own happy hour and serve Cheese Stuffed Fried Green Olives and a Castelvetrano’tini. Cheers!

Sensational Salads to Celebrate National Salad Month!

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Health, Jalapeño Stuffed Olives, Jeff’s Naturals Imported Non-Pareil Capers, Organic Kalamata Olives, Peperoncini, Roasted Bell Peppers, Salads, Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, Sunshine Mix Mild Banana Pepper Rings, , , , , , , ,

Did you know that May is National Salad Month? You do now! We’re celebrating by sharing secrets to creating fabulous and refreshing salads using unique ingredients. Here are some tasty tips to punch it up and wake up your palette with these sensational salads. Be inspired and be healthy!

Start with Leafy Greens to build your base.

Fig Salad with Blue Cheese Olives
Look for dark leafy greens packed with important nutrients like folic acid – think baby spinach, kale, arugula or a spring mix that includes a variety of dark greens.

Pile on colorful fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs!

Citrus and Olive Salad
As a general rule of thumb, the more seasonal and local your vegetables are, the better (think Farmers Markets). This is the perfect time to indulge in a multitude of fresh seasonal fruits, veggies, and herbs.

Add Protein

Salad Nicoise

Adding protein to your salad like grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, water-packed chunk light tuna, wild-caught salmon, lean steak or turkey breast can make your salad more satisfying. If you wish to skip the animal protein, cubed tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, beans or other legumes are great alternatives.

Don’t overdo it with the “extras”

Castelvetrano salad
Toppings like chopped nuts, seeds, shredded cheese, croutons, dried cranberries or raisins and salad dressings are fantastic on salads but have the potential to pack in too much fat and calories if you aren’t careful. For less fat and more flavor in your meals, think about adding something zesty and flavorful to your salad like Sliced Peperoncini or Jalapeño Stuffed Olives.

Here are some more salad tips to inspire you:

  • Toss Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes with chilled cooked pasta, sliced Kalamata Olives and Marinated Artichoke Hearts for a colorful and delicious pasta salad.
  • Toss pitted Castelvetrano Olives with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette for a beautiful and refreshing salad.
  • Toss Marinated Artichoke Hearts with salad greens, sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette.
  • For a tangy vegetarian version of a classic Caesar salad, use Capers in place of the traditional anchovies.
  • Toss Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto, along with its marinade, with romaine lettuce and tomato wedges. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and top with crumbled feta cheese for a super quick and delicious salad.
  • Toss pitted Kalamata Olives with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar for a refreshing Greek salad.
  • Add diced Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to a Southwestern black bean salad.
  • Toss Sliced Peperoncini into a mixed green salad for an extra punch of flavor.
  • Add Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers to salads for a boost of color and flavor.
  • Arrange Roasted Bell Pepper Strips on a serving plate along with sliced fresh mozzarella and julienned fresh basil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Baked Eggs with Olives

Fresh From the Jeff’s Naturals Kitchen: Baked Eggs with Olives

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Ever since we introduced them to the natural foods market, our Whole Castelvetrano Olives and NEW Pitted Castelvetrano Olives have consistently been two of our most requested items! Their unique nutty, buttery flavor, mild brine and wonderful natural green color make them perfect to enjoy in salads, martinis, pasta dishes or right out of the jar!

Our Castelvetrano Olives, imported from family farms in Castelvetrano Sicily, elevate Lunch, Dinner, Snack time, Happy Hour, and now Breakfast. This fresh recipe created by our chef in the Jeff’s Natural Kitchen is an “Egg-Ceptional” way to fuel up your day:

Baked Eggs with Olives

 

Baked Eggs with Olives

Prep Time: 5 min.Total Time: 11 min.Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons heavy cream
¼ cup Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano Olives, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 sprig fresh thyme leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
Serve with a crusty baguette

PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Crack 2 eggs into 2 individual-sized baking dishes. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle a tablespoon of heavy cream into each dish, and distribute the olives and herbs into each dish. Bake about 6 minutes, until the whites are set and yolks are very loose. Once removed from the oven, the eggs will continue to cook for a few minutes.

Drizzle eggs with olive oil and serve hot with warm crusty bread for dipping.

Looking for more ideas?  Visit our Recipe Page to find even more breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, appetizer and dinner recipes to enjoy using Jeff’s Naturals all-natural line of olives, peppers, capers and sun-dried tomatoes.

Pitted Castelvetrano Olives

Great News About Jeff’s Naturals Castelvetrano Olives (And a New Recipe!)

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N Pitted Castelvetrano Olives (2) Great news for fans of Castelvetrano Olives. Consumers can now get these irresistible snack olives pitted!

Yes, pitted! Jeff’s Naturals new Pitted Castelvetrano Olives make it even easier to enjoy these delicious olives in snacks and meals.

Now you can spend less time making and more time enjoying your favorite dishes like Heirloom and Castelvetrano Tuna Salad, Castelvetrano Spring Farro Salad, and Cheese Stuffed Fried Green Olives just to name a few. The new Pitted Castelvetrano Olives are also perfect for your favorite martini!

More ways to enjoy our new Pitted Castelvetrano Olives:

  • Add to braised meat dishes, especially chicken or duck.
  • Toss with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette for a beautiful and refreshing salad.
  • Add them to hot couscous, along with salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, sliced green onions and chopped flat-leaf parsley.

Castelvetrano Facts:

  • Castelvetranos are Italy’s number one snack olive, chosen three to one over any other type of olive.
  • Italians often refer to them as “dolce” (meaning “sweet” in Italian).
  • Castelvetranos are produced exclusively in Castelvetrano, Sicily, from the olive variety known as nocerella del belice.
  • They are easily recognized by their distinctive bright green hue and meaty, buttery flesh.
  • Castelvetranos came on the U.S. scene only recently, first appearing on the bulk olive bars of specialty food stores.
  • Jeff and our Italy-based import manager travel to Sicily each fall to inspect the harvest and foster relationships with generations-old family farmers, ensuring that our customers have access to the finest Castelvetrano olives available.

Enjoy them in this new recipe:

Pistachio & Castelvetrano Olive Pesto

Pistachio_and_Castelvetrano_Olive_Pesto_WEB

Ingredients
1 cup pitted Jeff’s Naturals Pitted Castelvetrano Olives
½ cup shelled pistachios
1 small clove fresh garlic
1 lemon, zested and juiced
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves

Directions
In a food processor, pulse all ingredients to desired consistency. Serve on a nice white fish, baked chicken, or veggies, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

The possibilities are endless! Crack open a jar and let your creativity run wild.

Castelvetrano Olives

Eight Dishes that Taste Better with Olives

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives, Organic Kalamata Olives, Recipes, Tips, , , , , , , ,

Jeff's Naturals Olives

There is something irresistible about Greek olives that makes them a favorite among foodies. What makes them so unique? Is it the salty, briny flavor? The meaty texture? The distinctive shape or the rich colors? Whatever it may be, olives are a staple in Mediterranean households and the highlight of many healthy dishes.

Here are eight dishes that simply taste better when you add wholesome ingredients like Kalamata Olives, Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives, Garlic Stuffed Olives & Jalapeño Stuffed Olives from Jeff’s Naturals.

Pizza

Shake things up on pizza night with some unexpected ingredients like Roasted Bell Peppers, an assortment of sliced olives, pesto, goat cheese and a sprinkling of minced fresh herbs.  Kalamata Olives & Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives can also add  more flavor and punch to an old fashioned pepperoni pizza.

Pizza

Tacos

Spice up your Taco Night by adding sliced Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to your filling. Don’t stop there!  Our Garlic Stuffed Olives & Jalapeño Stuffed Olives go great with burritos, quesadillas and even nachos! You can also make an outstanding guacamole by adding chopped Jalapeño Stuffed Olives to mashed avocado along with a diced tomato and a squeeze of lime. Ole!

Beef, Chicken & Fish

Roughly chop your favorite Jeff’s Naturals olives and/or our Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto and scatter over grilled steak, chicken or vegetables and drizzle with a bit of its marinade.

Olives go great with just about any variety of fish. For any easy sauce, sauté diced onions and minced garlic in olive oil, toss in a handful of sliced or pitted Kalamata Olives and a cup or two of diced tomatoes. Simmer and serve over fish with a garnish of minced fresh herbs.

Dress up grilled tilapia or mahi mahi with an easy homemade Artichoke and Green Olive Tapenade.  You can also make a mean olive pesto sauce to serve with fish like this excellent recipe for Encrusted Salmon with Olive Pesto.

Encrusted-Salmon-with-Olive-Pesto

Salad

Salads and olives go together like bread and butter. When it comes to salad creations, the sky’s the limit. Here are a few ideas:

  • Add distinction to a classic Caesar salad with sliced Garlic Stuffed Olives.
  • Mix together pitted Castelvetrano Olives with mixed baby greens, orange sections, shaved fennel and a light lemon vinaigrette for a beautiful and refreshing side salad.
  • Toss Jeff’s Naturals™ Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto, along with its marinade, with romaine lettuce and tomato wedges. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and top with crumbled feta cheese for a super quick and delicious side salad.
  • Our Organic Pitted Whole Kalamata Olives combined with feta cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar make for a very easy and refreshing Greek salad.

Spring-Spinach-Salad-with-Blue-Cheese-Stuffed-Olives

Snacks

Olives are meant for snacking. In fact, in Mediterranean countries like Greece and Italy, olives are one of the most popular snack foods (much healthier than chips)!  On your next snack break, why not try our Garlic Stuffed Olives with hummus and warm pita bread? Better yet, top the warm pita and hummus with Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto and feta cheese.

Entertaining friends and family? Create a beautiful antipasto platter using Garlic Stuffed Olives, Whole Golden Greek Peperoncini, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, and assorted meats and cheeses.

antipasto platter

Pasta & Spaghetti Dishes

Mama mia! Olives add wonderful flavor and depth to most pasta dishes. For example, you can stir sliced Garlic Stuffed Olives into your favorite pasta sauce. Form meatballs around our Garlic Stuffed Olives for a delicious and surprising treat in your spaghetti sauce.

You could also toss sliced Kalamata Olives with hot pasta and a dash of olive oil and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a quick and delicious meal! For a colorful and satisfying pasta salad, add sliced olives to cooked pasta and toss with Roasted Red Bell Peppers, marinated Artichoke Hearts and red wine vinaigrette.

Pasta-Nicoise

Sandwiches & Burgers

Sliced stuffed olives can transform ordinary burgers and sandwiches into an extraordinary meal when used as a topping. Upgrade your grilled cheese sandwich or Panini with sliced stuffed olives for a gourmet treat! For a yummy surprise, mix diced stuffed olives into burger patties, grill and top with melted cheese.

Grownup-Spicy-Grilled-Cheese-Sandwiches

Omelets

Olives for breakfast?  Indeed!  Give your breakfast a Mediterranean flavor by adding chopped Spicy Italian Olive Antipasto to your morning omelet.  You can also make an irresistible omelet by adding Kalamata Olives, Sun-Ripened Dried Tomatoes, fresh herbs and a dollop of tangy goat cheese or crumbled feta.

 

Here are some additional recipes featuring Jeff’s Naturals Olives. Enjoy!

Pasta Nicoise
Indian Summer Palette Salad
Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini
Encrusted Salmon with Olive Pesto
Deep Dish Party Pizzas
Mediterranean Couscous
Watermelon, Olive, Jalapeño and Feta Salad

For more inspiration and to learn more about our products, please visit our recipe page.