Marmarabirlik Sliced Black Olives (Dilimli Siyah Zeytin) are black table olives cut into rings and packed in a 350 g glass jar. The label describes them as olives "darkened by oxidation", a process that gives them an even black colour. The jar holds 350 g of drained olives, with a total net weight of 690 g according to the producer's catalogue. They are made by Marmarabirlik, the Marmara olive cooperative union, in Turkey.
Because the olives are already sliced, they save time in the kitchen. Scatter them over pizza, lahmacun or flatbread before baking, fold them into an omelette, tost or sandwich, or add them to pasta, rice salads and Turkish-style börek fillings. They are also a quick topping for a breakfast plate or a mixed green salad with tomato, cucumber and onion. Drain well before use if you are adding them to dough or a wet filling.
Store the unopened jar in a cool, dry place; the producer's catalogue lists a 24-month shelf life. Once opened, keep the olives covered by their liquid, close the lid and store the jar in the refrigerator, using a clean fork or spoon each time.