Mediterranean cuisine can be many things spanning so many countries, but it is generally characterized by an abundance of olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood and other lean proteins, and aromatic herbs, this gastronomic tapestry includes Greek salads, Italian pastas, Spanish paellas, and more. The emphasis on wholesome ingredients not only creates delicious meals, but also promotes good health!

Our buying team simply outdid themselves this week, rounding up special pricing on an array of imported and specialty items, and our Deli, Meat, Gourmet Cheese, and Produce departments joined in on the fun! Included in this week’s offerings is an amazing sale on conservas, or tinned fish (more about this below!), that is a great reason to re-visit this section of our store if you haven’t shopped there in a while. Today’s tinned fish has come a long way since the days of simple, uninspired sardine and oyster options.

You can see everything listed together in our extra beautiful Weekly Ad for some wonderful inspiration, but here are some highlights that you don’t want to miss:

Antipasti

The traditional name for the first course of a formal Italian meal takes many forms, but it usually involves bite-size small portions and guests serving themselves, with the goal of stimulating the appetite. There are many forms of this throughout the world, (Mezze, anyone?) and a connection can easily be made to the grazing boards and charcuterie boards we see so often in Sonoma County.

What’s usually involved in creating a memorable grazing board, antipasto platter or Mezze? The goal is to create a visually appealing grouping of different colors, textures, and flavors that can be mixed and matched to the delight of the guest. Consider these ‘food groups’ as you plan your board or platter.

• Dips: A variety of dips make a good foundation!
• Dippers: Crisp veggies, pita or other breads, crackers,
• Meats, Cheeses, and/or Seafood, including tinned fish, cured meats, and regional cheeses
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Olives or other pickled items

Here are just a few of the ingredients featured this week that will add some pizazz to whatever you are creating. You can also grab a few supplies for your pantry and be ready for your next impromptu guests:

• Tutto Calabrian Chile Peppers, Selected Varieties, 10.2 oz. Jar, $4.99
• Monte Pollino Olives, Selected Varieties, 17.6 oz. Jar, 25% Off
• Made in Nature Dried Fruit, Selected Varieties, 3-7 oz. Bag, $2.99
• Oliver’s Own Gourmet Olive Bar, $8.99/lb.: Carefully sourced and produced with clean ingredients, our olive and pickled vegetable selection does well to represent the Mediterranean food experience. Grab as little or as much as you’d like!
• Mediterranean Organics Roasted Peppers, 16 oz. Jar, $3.99
• Rhonda’s Romesco Sauce, 9 oz. Jar, $8.99/ea. LOCAL: Made with almonds, red peppers, olive oil, tomatoes, and spices, Romesco has been a staple in Spanish cuisine for centuries. With both a regular and spicy option, Ronda’s Romesco sauce is the perfect condiment for your next cheeseboard.
• Oliver’s Own Hummus, Selected Varieties, 8 oz. Container, $4.49 LOCAL – Made fresh by our culinary team just for Oliver’s customers!
• Oliver’s Own Everyday Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 750ml Bottle, $14.99
• Haig Tzatziki Sauce, 8 oz. Container, $2.99
• Oliver’s Own Rosemary Focaccia Bread, 1 lb.2 oz. Loaf, $6.99 LOCAL
• Atoria’s Pita Bread, Selected Varieties, 12 oz. Package, $3.99

From Tin to Table: Hop on the Tinned Fish Train!

High-quality tinned fish is versatile, adding a gourmet touch to salads, pastas, sandwiches and even a mezze platter. Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, tinned fish is a nutritious and convenient option for your culinary creations. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the different varieties of tinned fish.

• Anchovies – They deliver an intense dose of salt, which makes them perfect for wrapping around sweet vegetables or incorporating into dressings, pastas, or pizzas for an added depth of flavor.
• Sardines – Sardines can add a rich, savory element to any dish. They pair well with crusty bread and are often served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.
• Mackerel – This meatier fish has a much milder flavor than Anchovies, and they can hold up to toast, spicy mustard, compound butter and lots of fresh lemon.
• Smoked Salmon or Trout – Smoked fish need a little tang, so think crème fraiche, pickled vegetables and capers stacked on a saltine cracker.
• Octopus – Sprinkle some chopped flat leaf parsley and add a dash of paprika right in the tin and serve with toothpicks. Delicious!
• Mussels – These are great with pickled vegetables, spices, or on their own with potato chips. If your Mussels are packed in Olive Oil, give the whole tin a squeeze of fresh lemon before serving.

Check out these quality tinned fish options at special savings, and taste the next generation of delicious possibilities!

• Fishwife Tinned Fish, Selected Varieties,1.73-4.2 oz. Tin, 35% off
• Wild Planet Wild Sardines, 4.375 oz. Tin, REV, $1.99
• Patagonia Provisions Tinned Fish, Selected Varieties, 4.2 oz. Tin, $3.99
• Don Gastronom Canned Seafood, 120ml Can, 25% Off

Delicious Meals Await

If you still have room for dinner after enjoying all of these recommendations for antipasto and mezze, we are here for you with more savings and more meal ideas!

How about a delicious Greek Salad or Mediterranean Couscous Salad? Grilled Eggplant is delicious and eggplant is on sales this week in our Produce Department, as are cucumbers needed for this Cucumber Salad. While our hummus is truly delicious, try making it yourself with our recipe for Lemony Hummus with Oliver’s Own Lemon Infused Olive Oil.

Here are some specials from our Meat, Grocery, and Wine departments to round our your Mediterranean shopping trip:

• Oliver’s Choice 100% Angus Ground Chuck, $5.99/lb.
• Whole Rocky Chicken, $1.49/Lb. LOCAL
• Organic English Cucumbers, Grown by Divine in Mexico, $1.99/ea.
• Italian Eggplant, Grown by Red Lotus in Mexico, $1.29/lb.
• Pomegranates, Grown in Israel, $4.99/ea.
• Red Bell Peppers, Grown in Mexico, $2.49/lb.
• Bunched Mint, Grown in Mexico, $0.99/ea.
• Organic Lemons, Grown by Rainbow Valley Orchard in Fallbrook, CA, $0.49/ea.
• Mylonas Attica Keratea Assyrtiko, 2022 Greece, $17.99 +crv
• Campo de Borja Campo de Borja Syrah, 2017 Spain,$14.99 +crv
• Aix Coteaux Provence Rose’, 2022 France, $8.99 +crv
• Terre Santa Il De Beute Corsican White, 2020 France, $9.99 +crv
• Oliver’s Own Chicken Shawarma Salad, $8.99/lb. – from our Deli Chef’s Case. All the Mediterranean flavors ready to enjoy!

Whether you try one new item, or jump in with both feet and create a delicious regional feast, we hope you will accept our invitation to indulge in the delicious flavors of the Mediterranean, with a little help from Oliver’s Market.