The Giardino, was a riotous explosion of flavors - spinach, white beans, cucumber, cured black olives, celery, onions and feta.

The method for producing the California-style black olive - achieved by curing ripe olives in lye - was developed around the turn of the century.

And since no cook is expected to spend time curing olives, those are store bought, too.

A beautiful antipasto selection offered marinated peppers, cured salmon, bresaola, olives and some of the best anchovies I have ever tasted.

A traditional recipe enhanced by the use of fresh tuna is the French Salade Nicoise, a composed salad made with tuna, potatoes, green beans, cured olives and, often, anchovies, hard-cooked eggs, lettuce and tomatoes.

He placed a plate of goat cheese and cured olives with marinara sauce in the oven.

Avoid heavily salted foods like pickles, potato and corn chips, salted pretzels, cured olives, sausages, cold cuts and soy sauce.

Tapenade 2 tablespoons drained capers 8 coarsely chopped anchovies 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 1 tablespoon rum 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 cups oil cured black olives.

Like the other markets, it will sell produce, cheeses, cured meats, olive oils, olives, prepared foods, seafood, poultry and pastries.

Stay away from heavily cured, spiced or marinated olives; you want pure olive flavor, offset by the bay leaves only.