Entertaining during the holidays can be stressful, but pulling together a quick party tray isn’t stressful, and can add a lot to a holiday spread. I always start with one or two items I know I want to feature, and then I add on from there. This time I had some beautiful VERDI Castelvetrano olives that I wanted to feature.
VERDI olives are new to the US and are currently sold in Costco Wholesale Clubs in the Midwest. The Castelvetrano olives are a beautiful bright green color and have a light buttery taste. They make a perfect partner to all sorts of items. VERDI Olives has generously provided a $50.00 COSTCO Cash Card for a giveaway, so one of you can put together your own party tray this holiday season! (Giveaway Details after the recipe.)
I decided to make some marinated feta. I just throw some fresh rosemary and dried red chili pepper flakes in a jar with cubed feta, top it off with olive oil and then let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least a day, but there are many variations you can try, like this recipe from Whole Foods.
I added some rice crackers and dried apricots to the tray and then I made some rosemary roasted nuts. This recipe was kindly shared with me by Todd Porter (White On Rice Couple) last week after I tasted some nuts he had made and then begged him for the recipe. So good. Toasted nuts are tossed in a mixture of browned butter, fresh rosemary, brown sugar, and smoked sea salt. I don’t know how roasted nuts can get any better.
If you’re looking for a homemade gift to give someone, a jar of these nuts would be perfect!
Print This Recipe
Rosemary Roasted Nuts
Recipe as explained by Todd Porter, White On Rice Couple
Makes 1 pound of nuts
1 pound mixed nuts
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked sea salt
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the nuts out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Stir several times during roasting to prevent the nuts from burning. Transfer the nuts to a large mixing bowl.
2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, stirring while it melts. Continue to cook until specks of brown develop at the bottom of the pan. Stir these up and continue cooking until the butter turns a golden brown color. Add the rosemary and stir around the pan once or twice, then stir in the brown sugar and remove from the heat.
3. Add the butter mixture to the nuts and toss to coat. Add the sea salt to the bowl, and toss again. Spread the nuts to cool on a lined baking sheet. Serve warm or let cool.
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VERDI Olives $50 COSTCO Cash Card Giveaway
One reader will win a $50 COSTCO Cash Card. To enter to win, leave a comment below. Contest ends Wednesday, December 21, 11pm EST. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be notified by email.
This giveaway is closed, and the winner was chosen. The winner was comment #42, Eileen Sanborn. Congratulations!!
* This giveaway was provided by VERDI Olives.
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I would have never thought to mix the feta in olive oil. How cleaver!
That’s a clever idea to roast nuts with herb! Now I can’t to wait to try my own!
We love olives. When I was five years old my grandfather would tickle me under the table and steal the olives off of my plate! Funny how those simple things become a cherished memory! Will be looking for those special olives!
Those roasted nuts look incredible!
Wow, these nuts really sound perfect for any party and package as home made gift for the holiday. I’m going to make some tomorrow so I can get them packaged for my friends and family. I love your party tray. Got a little bit of everything I love and looks so beautiful. What an awesome giveaway! Just in time for the Holidays. :)
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy,
I know you responded in 2011 but I’m thinking of making these Rosemary Roasted Nuts for Mother’s Day and sending them to my family. What precautions do I take before packaging?
Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!
You know those are my favorite olives right ; ) Lurve.
cool! i would love to use it to get more appetizers and whatnot!
That feta looks amazing! It’s almost like we get two recipes for the post of one, today. Thank you!
I love olives!
I want to eat your photos! ;)
Wow…marinated feta…sounds perfect!
I usually make a sweet variation of roasted nuts, so I’ve been looking for something savory. This sounds perfect. Thanks!
Savory roasted nuts – it can’t get much better than that!
I can eat almost a jar of green olives in one sitting, and those nuts? Forget about it, I’ve actually consumed a whole bowl at the Union Square Cafe! What an amazing munchie tray!
Those rosemary nuts look so delicious – I’m going to try them tonight!
Never thought about making marinated feta cheese. Sounds so simple and so delicious!
rosemary and nuts – a fantastic combination! :) i want to know when those olives will hit Costcos on the west coast.
I’ll definitely look for those olives on my next Costco trip!
Yum! Olive addict here!
I love olives and taste good with garlic in the middle or cheese
I have a lovely little rosemary bush shaped like a Christmas tree. I think just for this recipe.
I have some smoked salt in the cabinet. Going to make the roasted nuts for sure!! Thanks for the tip.
This snack tray looks phenomenal!! I could probably eat the entire thing in one go! Great post!
Awesome giveaway! That party platter looks so scrumptious, especially the olives! :)
I absolutely love nuts and would love to use some of my fresh rosemary that’s still growing. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I look forward to trying it out soon. :)
NEED. THOSE. NUTS.
Thank you for letting me sample your Rosemary Roasted Nuts. I can verify that they are STUPENDOUS. I’m definitely going to be making some of my own.
mmmm feta mmmm olives mmmm nuts (that’s what she said!) seriously though, those nuts are killer!
ngallo58 at gmail dot com
Oh my goodness, these nuts look amazing! Thanks for the chance to win the giftcard!
We LOVE olives!
I love olives!
The nuts look amazing! I made some rosemary candied pecans last week – cant believe I waited this long to pair rosemary with nuts, it’s such a great combo.
A beautiful holiday appetizer plate, thanks for sharing the idea and giveaway!
Those nuts look delicious! I have a new love for toasted nuts, I’m definitely going to have to try those.
Wonderful, just wonderful! I will have to try this!
Lookes amazing!
What great ideas for a party tray!! TFS!! :)
Wow….That looks so good!
The Castelvetrano Olives sound wonderful, and your holiday tray is gorgeous – I love your contrast in colors, flavors and textures!
A great pairing ,tickles your tastebuds .
What a yummy spread!
I love this party tray. The colors, unique combination of foods and the simplicity of it. Tofu or nuts or BOTH – great gift ideas!
I would definitely make a party tray with these roasted nuts! And I’d add some roasted olives, delicious cheeses and some deli meats :)
My mom always thought I was an odd kid – at the grocery store I’d always beg her to buy pickles and olives for me! :)
Happy holidays, Rachael.
We often do the candied savory nuts. It’s a quick and easy one for parties!
Mmmmm…looks yummy!
I’ve had a ton of nuts I’ve had laying around with no idea with what to do with them. Thanks for the recipe idea!
very appetizing…think i’ll try the feta.
I never used to like olives..but my tastebuds must be changing, because now I love them!
Wow. Both of those sound great. Now I know what to bring to our work Christmas Party. Thank you so much for sharing!