Sunday, July 20, 2008 Olive harvest Posted in Protager Gardening A wet day - not cold but wet, I am really ready for spring I could quite happy skip winters. Brent worked on land cruiser & got the LPG in - his handy skills save us soo much money!!! He also preserved his olives.   Brent & James Picked our  olives when changing colour from green to black. Placed olives in a jar and covered with water and 1 1/2 Tablespoons rock salt. Change the water daily for 10 to 12 days, rinsing off any scum that may appear. Sample daily until bitter taste goes away Next step is to prepare a brine solution. Brine solution : 1 Tablespoon rock salt per jar. Rinse olives and eat a few Place into sterilised jars or clean containers and water top of the olives Add 2 Tablesoons Balsamic Vinegar add 1 dried chilli sliced Lemon rind & some lemon juice 1 small lemon Be sparing with any flavourings you may wish to add.....making sure you have washed the herbs first. Sprigs of thyme; rosemary; oregano; garlic clove; small dried chilli; mustard seeds; coriander seeds; zest of lemon peel. Seal with 5 ml olive oil (this also gives the olives a nice taste as you are fishing them out to taste)  Keep in a cool place and leave for 4 to 6 weeks,  testing as you wish Yes our very first jar of olives from our olive grove. We were told to remove all the olives the first year of growing, but we couldn't. - They taste real nice & seem to be going down by the day. • Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend! Comments Sunday, July 20, 2008 - olives Posted by stitchesbyteresa Thank you for sharing about your olives. That sounds sooo good! I love olives on homemade pizza. It reminds me of childhood memories when every friday our dad would take us to a pizza restaurant called "Godfathers Pizza" and that's when I first discovered I like olives. I'm so sorry you are having such a difficult winter there! It's hard to imagine winter right now as the high at my house yesterday was 93 degree Farhenheit (sp?)...I would say I hope it goes fast for you, but then that would mean it's fast approaching us in USA!!! ANYWAY, I meant to tell you I loved your Mel Gibson commentary. I needed a good chuckle that day and you supplied it! I was hoping you would be able to join in on the block exchange w/us this time! Well maybe you won't be so busy when the next quilting challenge comes around. ALSO, I'd enjoy any suggestions you might have along this line if you have ever participated in a quilting challenge... Have a great day! Teresa • Permanent Link Sunday, July 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment Posted by morningsunshine cool! I think olives would be too much for here! • Permanent Link Monday, July 21, 2008 - Thanks Ladies Posted by TheGoodLife Thanks for leaving a comment - it's nice to meet who is popping in & reading my ramblings grin. Love Leanne • Permanent Link