Gaeta Olives

Gaeta Olives (Kalamata Olives) are everywhere in Gaeta. The mountains are covered with olive trees and families use the olives to make cured olives or use it to make homemade olive oil. Both are extremely delicious. My friend remembers his grandmother taking the olives to the sea and soaking them in the water for several days before seasoning them. These olives were made by his mother, Rosalita. They actually have olive trees in their yard but I don’t think that these olives are from them. She brine cured them (which is what gives them their smooth surface) and marinated them in garlic, parsley, and red pepper flakes.