Nibble of Choice

Food.

Hold on to your hats. There is a new Olive in town. It’s called Castelverano, a little-known olive variety that has finally hit the states.

Thanks to their intense green hue, these glossy, oval-shaped olives are easy to spot. Chefs are obsessed with them and once you taste them you'll understand why. Picked young and cured with less salt than other olives, they have a smooth, buttery texture and a mild, clean taste.


Convivio chef Michael White loves them because they remind him of fresh olives he's eaten in Italy. "So many Americans are used to bad olives," he says. "They're too acidic, too vinegary; these are fresh and meaty." At Convivio, White warms them in olive oil and seasons them lightly with rosemary, chili flakes and garlic.

Next time you are having a get together or serving Gin martinis try this hip new treat. You won’t be disappointed and your guests will love to try something new. If you live in the NYC you can usually find Castelverano’s at Buon Italia at Chelsea Market. If you live in other areas many of the Whole Foods stores have been receiving shipments. They are also sold online at dibruno.com. Buon appetito!