Castelvetrano Olives

The first thing I do when I visit my parents’ house in Cleveland is search the refrigerator for Castelvetrano green olives. These jade, buttery orbs lack the bitter aftertaste of many lesser olives, and are meaty enough to make for a satisfying snack. I have searched Italian stores across Boston for Castelvetranos for years, with no success. Every so often I bring home other types of green olives, but they never measure up. 

I had pretty much come to terms with the fact that I would never find Castelvetrano anywhere except my parents’ refrigerator. Then, while shopping for olive-stuffed pork tenderloin at my local Italian grocery, what should I find but a bounty of Castelvetranos displayed proudly in the center of the store.  To think that they had been available all this time a mere five minute walk from my house.  It is too good to be true.