Tastings…of Olive Oil from Tuscia and Sorrento

Merlano DOP Tuscia, Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Lazio
Merlano DOP Tuscia, Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Lazio

Excellent olive oil truly has the capacity to hold its flavor. I’ve been preparing food at home this week with Merlano DOP Tuscia. It does carry a best by date of 23 May 2009 (it’s on Olio2go’s Sale page), but wow, it still works in my kitchen! On Monday, we needed a quick snack so I drained a can of ceci beans (garbanzos to the rest of you), dumped them in the Cuisinart, added a clove of garlic and a squeeze of lemon–and a healthy splash of Merlano. Thirty seconds later, we had a wonderful “hummus”. Perfect with some crusty bread, and a wonderful appetizer before heading out for the evening.

Syrenum DOP Penisola Sorrentina, Sorrento, Campania
Syrenum DOP Penisola Sorrentina, Sorrento, Campania

Last night I took home a bottle of our new Syrenum DOP Penisola Sorrentina, from Sorrento in Campania. This oil is rather “lusty” — what would an assiagiatore call it? The olives were harvested at a riper stage than one might in the north, and it also had a surprising and pleasant bitter element. If you have memories of Sorrento and Capri, this is the bottle to grab. Very nice when drizzled over pasta primavera — with garlic, tomatoes, basil, and olives.

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