Description
Delightfully elegant and flavorful, these Cheese Stuffed Castelvetrano Olives combine the buttery, mild taste of Castelvetrano olives with the creamy richness of Boursin cheese, enhanced by bright lemon zest, aromatic thyme, and a hint of sumac. Perfect as a sophisticated appetizer or a charming addition to any charcuterie board.
Ingredients
Scale
Olives and Cheese
- 8 ounces Castelvetrano olives, pitted
- 3 ounces Boursin cheese, room temperature
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 large lemon, zested
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sumac (optional)
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese for Stuffing: Place the room-temperature Boursin cheese into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a small corner snipped off. This will allow you to pipe the cheese neatly into the olives without mess.
- Stuff the Olives: Pipe the creamy Boursin cheese carefully into each pitted Castelvetrano olive until filled. Place the stuffed olives gently into a mixing bowl to keep them intact.
- Add Lemon Zest and Olive Oil: Zest one large lemon over the bowl of stuffed olives to add a fresh citrus aroma. Pour ½ cup of high-quality extra virgin olive oil over the olives, coating them evenly to bring richness and enhance flavor.
- Season and Garnish: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sumac over the olives if using, providing a subtle tangy depth. Finally, scatter 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves over the top to add a fragrant herbal note.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss all ingredients together to combine flavors without breaking the olives. Serve immediately as an elegant appetizer, with crackers, baguette slices, or as a delightful addition to a charcuterie board.
Notes
- Ensure the Boursin cheese is at room temperature for easy piping and smooth stuffing.
- If sumac is unavailable, a light sprinkle of smoked paprika can be a flavorful alternative.
- Use Castelvetrano olives as they have a mild and buttery flavor that complements the cheese perfectly.
- These stuffed olives can be prepared a few hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Serve with crusty bread or mild crackers to balance the rich cheese filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stuffing and Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 stuffed olives (approx. 45g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Stuffed Olives, Castelvetrano Olives, Boursin Cheese, Elegant Appetizer, Mediterranean Snacks, Cheese Stuffed Olives, Charcuterie Board