Olives, Nuts & Snacks

These delicious berries, the fruit of the caper bush, have a floral sharpness which pairs particularly well with fish, from scallops to sea bass. Not quite as sharp as a caper, they are also great addition to a charcuterie or cheese board.  Blend them with lemon and garlic to make a dipping sauce for or substitute them for an olive to make a Dirty Martini. Why not try them in Giovanna Ryan's Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Pickled in vinegar infused with oregano and tarragon, this garlic has a full and savoury sweetness. These classic Spanish encurtidos (pickles) can complement everything from canapes to cocktails, or simply be eaten with a cold beer or a glass of wine. Serve it as a tapa alongside olives and anchovies for a simple, classic snack, or use it to add flavour and texture to pasta sauces, antipasti platters and sautéed vegetables or a stir fry.

Unsalted marconas are especially good for cooking and baking. Their beautiful creamy, smooth texture and sweet almost buttery flavour is due to their richness in almond oil.

The olive oil torta, a flat, unleavened biscuit, was first invented several hundred years ago to provide an easily portable snack for stagecoach passengers passing through the city of Seville. Made in several different flavours, the traditional biscuit is sweet, crisp and flaky with a mild taste of anise. Contains 6 tortas per pack

The olive oil torta, a flat, unleavened biscuit, was first invented several hundred years ago to provide an easily portable snack for stagecoach passengers passing through the city of Seville. Now made in several different flavours, including this orange variety. This is sweet, crisp and flaky with a mild but distinct citrus flavour. Contains 6 tortas per pack.

The olive oil torta, a flat, unleavened biscuit, was first invented several hundred years ago to provide an easily portable snack for stagecoach passengers passing through the city of Seville. Now made in several different flavours, the biscuit with almonds is sweet, crisp and flaky with a mild taste of anise and crunchiness from the toasted almonds. Contains 6 tortas per pack

These figs are picked underripe and green, whilst still firm, they are then put into a marinade of vinegar, sugar and spices. The result is a sweet/sharp fruit that makes a delicious accompaniment to hard cheeses or many kinds of cured charcuterie.

Salty and sharp these capers are uniquely delicious; non-pareil in fact means “without equal” in French and it is applied to the smallest capers with the most delicate flavour. Capers are produced from the unopened flower bud of the caper bush (whilst caperberries are the fruit of the same plant). These buds are picked, dried in the sun and preserved in rock salt. They are a versatile ingredient, adding flavour to dressings and creamy sauces (try it with horseradish) or add to potato salads or eggs. They are a perfect partner to white fish.

One of the commonest accompaniments to cheese, ham and charcuterie in many Spanish bars and restaurants is the simple breadstick, often made using olive oil. The shape may vary, but they all provide a textural contrast to the meats or cheeses. These little pointed breadsticks are crisp and crunchy.

Picos de pan are a very common accompaniment to cheese, ham and charcuterie in Spain. They can also complement soups and salads, adding a crunchy, flavourful element to various dishes. These little breadsticks are double-fermented allowing the dough to develop a deep, complex flavour profile and an airy texture for a perfect bite. The olive oil comes from Andalucía, a region renowned for producing some of the finest olive oils in the world. This oil infuses the picos with a fruity richness that complements their tangy flavour, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of southern Spain.

Bakeries in Galicia have long made products that would last on board ships. Dried biscuits containing very little water were amongst the foods which were taken on most voyages. These traditional biscuits are still made, but now primarily to taste good. The butter in the recipe gives a lovely richness to the crisp biscuit.