The Marche Olive Ascolane Salad is a dish that embodies the culinary traditions of Italy’s Marche region while giving it a modern, refreshing twist. Inspired by the famous Olive all’Ascolana, or stuffed Ascoli olives, this salad showcases some of the region’s best flavors while maintaining a light and vibrant profile.
The Inspiration: Olive all’Ascolana
The dish takes inspiration from Olive all’Ascolana, a prized appetizer from Marche, particularly from the province of Ascoli Piceno. These traditional olives are large, green, and have a firm texture. They are usually stuffed with a mixture of meat, breaded, and deep-fried, making them a well-loved delicacy. Their bold, savory flavor makes them the perfect ingredient to incorporate into a salad, where their briny and umami notes balance the freshness of vegetables and herbs.
A Taste of Marche in a Salad
Instead of deep frying the olives as in the classic preparation, this recipe highlights their natural, rich flavor in an unprocessed form. The pitted Marche-style olives serve as the backbone of the salad, offering a salty, slightly tangy contrast to the other ingredients. The addition of heirloom cherry tomatoes introduces a bright, juicy sweetness, while arugula contributes a peppery bite that enhances the salad’s complexity.
The buffalo mozzarella adds a creamy, delicate texture that softens the intensity of the olives and arugula. This cheese, which originates from southern Italy, is known for its mild, milky sweetness and provides a beautiful contrast to the other bold flavors in the dish.
The Dressing: A Harmonious Blend
The dressing, made with extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, honey, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper, elevates the salad with a balancing act of richness, acidity, and subtle sweetness. The balsamic vinegar, an Italian staple that dates back to the Middle Ages, ties the ingredients together, bringing depth and brightness to the dish.
Simplicity Meets Culinary Heritage
What makes this Marche Olive Ascolane Salad special is its ability to merge rustic tradition with culinary freshness. While still paying homage to the famous stuffed olives of Ascoli Piceno, it reinterprets those flavors in a lighter, more contemporary form that fits easily into any meal.
This dish works wonderfully as a starter, a light lunch, or even a side for grilled meats or seafood. Whether you’re deeply familiar with Italian cuisine or seeking new ways to bring Mediterranean flavors to your table, this salad promises a bite of Marche’s rich gastronomic history in an easy-to-prepare, delightful dish.
Culinary Tip
For an added layer of depth, try lightly toasting the Marche-style olives in a dry pan for about 2 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will help enhance their natural aromas and bring out an earthier, roasted taste, making the salad even more flavorful.
By honoring tradition while embracing modern simplicity, this Marche Olive Ascolane Salad is a true celebration of Italy’s regional charm—delicious, authentic, and bursting with vibrant Mediterranean ingredients.
Marche Olive Ascolane Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes halved for freshness
- 1 cup Marche-style olives pitted
- 1 cup arugula washed and dried
- 1 cup fresh buffalo mozzarella torn into pieces
Dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil preferably Italian
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar aged
- 1 tsp honey optional, for sweetness
- 1 pinch sea salt to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, pitted Marche-style olives, and arugula. Gently toss to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (if using), sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture, and gently toss until the ingredients are coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Carefully fold in the torn buffalo mozzarella, ensuring even distribution throughout the salad. Avoid over-mixing to maintain the cheese’s delicate texture.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls, ensuring that the ingredients are artfully displayed. Garnish with a few whole olives on top for visual appeal.