We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Kitchen

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Olive Boat?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 8,952
Share

An olive boat is a serving dish which has been specifically designed for olives, typically with a narrow, oblong shape and high sides to contain the juices from the olives. Olive boats may be set out at buffets or on bars, allowing people to snack on olives, and they may also appear at the dinner table, typically during a Mediterranean themed meal. Many kitchen supply stores sell olive boats in a variety of sizes and designs, and sometimes different shapes are available as well.

As a general rule, an olive boat is made from glazed ceramic, which will not react with the vinegar in brined olives. You can also find olives boats made from plastic and enameled metal, but these materials can corrode when used for an extended period of time with brined olives, so it is generally a good idea to avoid them. Depending on the design, the olive boat may have a flush bottom, or it may have small legs or even wheels to allow it to be easily moved around the table.

The decorations on olive boats vary widely. Some are quite restrained, being glazed in solid, simple colors which blend well with a variety of tableware. Others are quite colorful, often decorated with paintings of olives and olive branches, and with bold stripes of color which are meant to evoke the Mediterranean. Some even have oversized ceramic olives interspersed in the bowl for decoration, and to fill the space in the bowl as people eat the real olives.

While an olive boat is generally oblong, they can come in other shapes as well. Some are wider, allowing people to put more olives in them, and an olive boat may be divided into compartments to separate different varieties. Others deviate from the oblong shape altogether, being round, square, triangular, and everything in-between. These shapes tend to be more unwieldy when set out with an assortment of other platters and dishes, while the slim oblong shape can be nestled between serving platters, creating less of a footprint on the table.

As a general rule, olives can be stored in an olive boat overnight or in the fridge, as long as they are covered to keep them from drying out. If you have mixed varieties in the olive boat, they may acquire new and surprising flavors if allowed to sit together, which is something you may want to consider. You can also add other pickled foods to an olive boat, like artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, brined cheeses, and so forth.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-an-olive-boat.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.