Some people have spirit animals. We have spirit vegetables. And ours are anything that arrives inside a giant box from Summerland. Last Thanksgiving, we partnered with Summerland for a holiday delivery box like no other with recipes by top Chef Josiah Citrin and organic produce by some of California’s best growers. We, and quite a few of our readers, were in veggie heaven.
We asked Summerland’s Alison Altomari, formerly of the California Olive Oil Council, to let us in on one of their recent olive oil tastings. We love all of these fresh-pressed oils, but we just can’t get over the periwinkle blue can of Pasolivo. Read up, find your favorite and hit the farmer’s market for a few fresh greens to drizzle all that golden goodness over.
Enzo “Bold”
Grove Location:
Clovis, CA (Fresno County)
Olive Varietals:
Koroneiki
Tasting Notes:
Buttery, balanced, nutty with notes of grass.
In the Kitchen:
Food friendly – and great price point to make it a certified organic kitchen staple.
Pasolivo “California Blend”
Grove Location:
Paso Robles, CA.
Olive Varietals:
Mission and Manzanillo.
Tasting Notes:
Very robust, intense oil – green almond and apple.
In the Kitchen:
Pairs well with a soft fresh cheese, like burrata, or a salad with stone fruits or cherries.
Moonshadow Grove “Ascolano”
Grove Location:
Oroville, CA (Butte County).
Olive Varietals:
Ascolano
Tasting Notes:
Very fruity, unique oil. Buttery, mild with notes of tropical fruits, floral and herbaceous.
In the Kitchen:
Excellent finishing oil – for salads, soups or to bake with.
Grumpy Goats “Coratina”
Grove Location:
Capay (Yolo County)
Olive Varietals:
Coratina
Tasting Notes:
Robust oil with big flavors – herbaceous, eucalyptus, nutty with a peppery finish.
In the Kitchen:
Great finishing oil for grilled meats or vegetables, or tossed with fresh pasta and grated cheese.
