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What is Olive Loaf?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 23,600
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Olive loaf can mean two entirely different things, depending on the context. In the first sense, it is literally a loaf of bread which has been decorated with olives; the olives may be mixed into the dough, or sprinkled on top. In the second sense, it is a type of cured or baked meat which has been mixed with olives, classically pimento stuffed green olives, and it is designed to be eaten cold as a lunch meat. The meaning is usually clear from the context.

Olives are the cured fruits of olive trees. They can be cured in a wide variety of ways to create an assortment of textures and flavors. They have been a part of Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years, and many people are quite fond of some olive varieties. The olives used to make olive loaves vary; black olives, for example, are common in breads, while larger green olives tend to be preferred in the meat version of olive loaf.

Olive loaf breads are quite common. They may be made with an assortment of flours, and they can include herbs, tomatoes, and other ingredients in addition to the olives. These breads pair well with a wide assortment of cheeses, and they can be served hot or cold. Olive rolls can be quite useful for picnics, while other types of olive loaf stray dangerously close to pizza, with toppings of cheese, olives, and fresh herbs. Many bakeries carry olive loaves, and they are also very easy to make at home.

In the sense of a lunch meat, an olive loaf is made with finely ground beef or pork which is mixed with whole stuffed olives and compressed either into a loaf pan or into a sausage casing. If the loaf is packed in a loaf pan, it is baked and typically has a short shelf life. Olive loaves which are turned into sausages can be smoked or brined to create a cured lunch meat like bologna which can last for several months under the right conditions.

Many delis carry olive loaf, both in whole and sliced form. It can be added to sandwiches or served as a cold cut with an assortment of other meats, cured vegetables, and cheeses. Once a cured olive loaf has been opened, it should be kept under refrigeration and used quickly, as it is no longer resistant to bacteria.

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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
By babylove — On Jun 01, 2011

I'm always amazed at how many choices there are in flavored olive oils these days. It's so hard to decide which ones are the best since they all look and smell so fantastic.

I remember as a child my mother didn't have the option to buy gourmet olive oil so she would make her own. Most of the time she would add some cracked black pepper and a few fresh herbs.

But my favorite dips were the ones she warmed over the stove with garlic cloves and fresh basil. It's the best dipping sauce for fresh baked Parmesan garlic sticks.

By aviva — On May 31, 2011

Panera Bread, as you can imagine, makes an olive loaf and it's to die for. It pairs well with a warm bowl of homemade tomato soup too.

For those of you who bake at home, I did a quick search on the web and found an olive loaf recipe that's very similar. It's called Kalamata Olive Bread just in case you're interested.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

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

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