Description
These Marinated Cheese & Olive Skewers are a delightful appetizer featuring fresh mozzarella, green olives, and piquante peppers marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, orange zest and juice, garlic, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Perfect for entertaining, they offer a balance of savory, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors with a fresh herbal finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1 orange (zested and juiced)
- 2 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1 5-inch sprig fresh rosemary
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Skewers
- 10 ounces small manzanilla green olives stuffed with pimentos
- 14 ounces juanita piquante peppers (or pimentos, or roasted red peppers)
- 16 ounces fresh mozzarella (cut into 36 cubes about 3/4-inch each)
- 36 5-inch bamboo or wood skewers
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine olive oil, orange zest and juice, garlic, rosemary sprig, and red pepper flakes. Warm gently just below simmering for a couple of minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant. Remove from heat, stir in minced parsley, and allow the mixture to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Cheese and Vegetables: Cut fresh mozzarella into approximately 36 cubes, each about 3/4-inch in size. In a container or dish, combine the mozzarella cubes with the green olives and piquante peppers.
- Marinate: Once the marinade has cooled, pour it over the mixture of peppers, cheese, and olives. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to 48 hours, stirring occasionally to redistribute the marinade flavors.
- Assemble Skewers: To prepare the skewers for serving, take 5-inch bamboo or wood skewers and thread them in the following order: one olive, one pepper, one mozzarella cube, and finish with another olive.
- Serve or Store: Arrange the assembled skewers on a serving tray. Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one day before serving to maintain freshness.
Notes
- The perfect appetizer combination of savory green olives, sweet and spicy peppers, and mild mozzarella cheese marinated in a fragrant blend of olive oil, citrus, garlic, and herbs.
- Marinating enhances the flavors and makes the cheese and vegetables more tender and flavorful.
- Use fresh herbs and good-quality olive oil for the best taste.
- These skewers can be prepared a day ahead, making them convenient for parties and gatherings.
- For variety, try swapping piquante peppers with roasted red peppers or other sweet peppers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 93 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 331 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
