Ricette di Sicilia

Name: Smashed Green Olive Salad: A Burst of Sicilian Flavours
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Sicilian
Ingredients: 400g stuffed green olives; 100g celery; Wild fennel; Red wine vinegar; A few mint leaves; 2 garlic cloves; A handful of Bronte pistachios; Extra virgin olive oil; Salt; 1 red chilli pepper; 1 large salad tomato

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane

Smashed Green Olive Salad: A Burst of Sicilian Flavours

Discover the authentic Sicilian smashed green olive salad – a fresh, flavour-packed starter that’s perfect for summer days.

Author: Pina Romano • Published on: May 28, 2012

Categories: Starters

Tags: vinegar garlic wild fennel mint extra-virgin olive oil chili pepper pistachios tomatoes salt celery

⏱️

Prep Time

about 40 minutes

🔥

Cook Time

around 35 minutes

👥

Serve

Serves 4

📊

Difficulty

Easy

💰 Budget-friendly

🗓️ Summer

⭐ 4.8/5

🛒 Ingredients

✓ 400g stuffed green olives

✓ 100g celery

✓ Wild fennel

✓ Red wine vinegar

✓ A few mint leaves

✓ 2 garlic cloves

✓ A handful of Bronte pistachios

✓ Extra virgin olive oil

✓ Salt

✓ 1 red chilli pepper

✓ 1 large salad tomato

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories

110 kcal

Protein

2.5 g

Fat

9 g

Carbohydrates

7 g

Fiber

2.5 g

Sugars

2 g

Sodium

300 mg

Smashed green olive salad beautifully captures the heart of Sicilian cooking with its vibrant, Mediterranean flavours. This light and tasty starter is ideal for warm summer days when sharing good food in great company is what it’s all about. The olives, a proud emblem of Sicily’s agricultural heritage, mingle with fresh, aromatic ingredients like celery, wild fennel, and mint to create a fragrant medley reminiscent of the island’s sun-soaked landscapes and sea breezes. Perfect for al fresco dinners or family lunches, this salad pays homage to the simple, honest charm of Sicilian cuisine.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

1

Place the stuffed olives in a bowl. Add a few mint leaves and the celery stalks, chopped into small pieces.
2

Stir in the wild fennel and finely chopped red chilli. Gently crush the two garlic cloves and add them to the mix.
3

Chop the salad tomato into chunks and toss it in with the other ingredients. Add the chopped mint leaves and a handful of Bronte pistachios.
4

Dress the salad with a good drizzle of Sicilian extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. Season with salt to taste.
5

Pop the salad in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavours meld beautifully.

💡 Tips and Variations

For a stronger kick, finely chopped anchovies can be stirred in. If you fancy a bit of crunch, scatter toasted bread croutons over the salad just before serving.

📦 Storage

• Keep refrigerated and consume within 2 days.
• Store in an airtight container to preserve freshness.
• Avoid freezing as this may spoil the texture of the ingredients.

🍷 Pairing

Serve alongside a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria — a light, fruity red wine that wonderfully complements the Mediterranean flavours of this dish.

This smashed green olive salad is a true taste of Sicily, bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours that bring a touch of the Mediterranean straight to your table. It’s wonderfully simple to prepare and makes a charming starter or light lunch when shared with loved ones. Do give it a go at home—you’ll find it’s a delightful way to celebrate the sunshine and the joy of good company. And if you do try it, please share your experience; I’d love to hear how it brings a little Sicilian sunshine into your kitchen!