Sunday 23 November 2008

Olives


Left to my own devices this post would run and run as I absolutely love olives....
I love the sight of the olive groves on south facing hillsides, the leaves changing colour in the breeze. I love the astringent taste of those small black olives on my tongue especially with a glass of red wine and if you've never taken a horizontal slice of baguette, rubbed it with a half of a cut clove of garlic with a little olive oil drizzled over it then you've never lived.
It pleases me to see the olive nets spread over the ground under the trees to collect the fruit. I like to know that some things still have to be done by hand, even though it's back breaking work and there's satisfaction in knowing that what you pick can be turned into your own olive oil at the mill down the road. Even if you've only got 2 or 3 trees your olives can be mixed in with someone elses.
This year's olive harvest is exceptional Nice Matin tells me and next weekend the olive mill in our village is giving guided tours so I shall be there with my camera...

6 comments:

Maria said...

Hallo Angela, thank you for your visit on my blog! Yes, the storm brought some snow to us and Vienna is sprinkled with - sugar - no, with snow! It's rather cold outside, a bit below 0°C, but the sun is coming through, and I already made a small trip to Stadtpark with my dog!
Oh, what a different world: You are harvesting olives!
I love olives ever since I tasted the first one, and use it regularly in my kitchen. I first tasted olives when I was 19 years old. A friend gave me red wine and olives and said I should try them together, at first I would not be used to their taste, but then I would love it.
And so it was :)
I am happy to hear that olives are still harvested by hand and grinded in local mills! I hope that the agriculture industry will not sweep that away!
I will come again for your post aboit the olive mill!
Hugs, Maria

Kate said...

Yes, you are absolutely correct...nothing like good bread and good olive oil. We have that regularly at our favorite pasta bar, which we visit too often! Wonderful photo, too.

Profile Not Available said...

OH! I can't wait for the tour! I love olives too! I especially love how beautiful the trees are!

Catherine said...

Bonjour Angela,
You speak about it perfectly.
We will be there to watch the mill pictures.
So, you too, felt in love with this area! Its products, its accent, sun, way of life ...

kuanyin333 said...

I agree with the others: love olives, bread, and red wine! Your photo and text is divine. What am I doing here I ask myself when I could be indulging in such pleasures?!

Jill said...

A lovely post.