Olive Ascolane

Olive ascolane are highly addictive snacks originating from the town of Ascoli Piceno in the Italian region of Marche. These snacks consist of pitted, meat-filled, breaded and deep-fried olives. Ideally, the large, green local Ascolana Tenera variety is used in the preparation, but any large, mild, brined green olives will also do. Each local family has their own recipe for the filling, but it usually consists of three kinds of meat: chicken, veal, and pork, sautéed in butter then flavored with Parmigiano and nutmeg. Olive ascolane are very popular throughout central Italy, served as street food, an aperitivo snack, or finger food at cocktail parties.