I love to cook with olive oil. In fact, I use it every day. It’s pretty much a staple in my pantry. Recently some concerns have been raised about the authenticity of olive oil here in the US. That’s right, FAKE EVOO!! This happens when olive oil is extracted from one country and then shipped to another, then is blended with oil from other places before being packaged. Unfortunately, some olive oils are severely diluted with other low grade oils. Even worse blended with outdated olive oil. Yuck.
As a Mom’s Meet Blogger, I am excited to partner with the Flavor Your Life campaign, in support of their mission. Supported by the European Union, Unaprol, and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, this campaign’s goal is to educate North American consumers about authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Europe.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made from the European olive, by pressing without heat or chemicals. To guarantee the freshest and purest oil, EVOO is nearly free of acidity. With a high smoke point of 400 degrees F, EVOO is versatile in the kitchen, as it can be used to sauté, bake, and even deep fry.
Why choose European? For centuries, farmers in Europe have evolved hundred of varieties of olive trees. This connection between the people and optimation of olive trees with the changing environmental conditions and terrains of the land has resulted in the finest extra virgin olive oil in the world.
To check for your olive oil’s authenticity, look for the country or countries of origin on the label as well as best buy date and lot numbers. You can also look for the European Union PDO certification (Protected Designation of Origin – also know as DOP in Italian) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication – also known as IGP in Italian). – flavor-your-life.com
Today, I used Zucchi’s 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil in my recipe. Zucchi is a 200 year old company that has been managed by seven generations of the Zucchi family. Zucchi’ point of difference is their taste, quality, and traceability (with QR code) and the Italian Art of Blending. I loved the flavor profiles of all the varieties I received. AMAZING!! I could totally see myself just dipping some freshly baked bread into a bowl of this awesomeness. It really is that good. I thought any one of these varieties would be perfect for this dish. This recipe is super easy and can be made in 30 minutes!
Sweet Potato, Carrot & Kale Hash
6 servings
Ingredients
6 cup sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups fresh carrots, peeled and diced
2 cups onion, diced
2 cups kale, chopped and lightly sautéed
1/4 cup Zucchi 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp Shawarma seasoning
1 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss.
Transfer to a large skillet and spread evenly.
Put in oven and bake of 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are soft.
To learn more about the Flavor Your Life Campaign and European Extra Virgin Olive Oil, visit flavor-your-life.com.
* I received this product complimentary from Mom’s Meet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation was provided for this post and may contain affiliate links.
Shana Was Here 