Holy Land PestoQ: What has a robust aroma, flavors evocative of fresh fruit, a peppery bite and a hint of bitterness?

A: Holy Land olive oil from Palestine, available at Global Exchange Fair Trade shop in Berkeley.

 

Tonight I am using Holy Land olive oil to make:

Holy Land 2014-3

  1. Delicious and versatile no-cook pesto sauce for pasta
  2. Baby heirloom tomato salad drizzled with olive oil
  3. Kale, feta and carrot salad drizzled with olive oil

The flavor of this olive oil is enough to dress salads alone but I added a dash of salt, pepper, and lemon.

Pesto Ingredients:

1/4 cup walnuts

Holy Land Pesto

2 cups packed chopped basil

1/2 cup grated hard Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons HOLYLAND extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method: Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. I am adding this pesto to hot noodles but it can also be paired with steamed vegetables, used as a spread on sandwiches or served as a simple and healthy dip with raw veggies or pita chips.

Holy Land Pesto

Holy Land is proud to be the first to import Palestinian olive oil into the U.S. and their mission is to create and sustain a permanent market for Palestinian farmers. Your purchase of Holy Land is valued as an expression of support for the olive farmers. Reading about Palestinian olive trees, looking at beautiful pictures of Palestine and enjoying the rich taste of this olive oil makes me want to experience the harvest for myself, luckily I have a great connection.

Global Exchange invites you to travel to Palestine and Israel for a very special “Fair Olive Harvest” Reality Tour to learn how Fair Trade cooperatives are restoring hope and providing economic alternatives to a population under occupation.

Holy Land Pesto

Witness communities building economic alternatives by way of the Fair Trade model, experience and cultivate a greater appreciation of Palestinian traditions, food and people, and spend a day or two harvesting olives with a farm family. Participants will also discuss integral human rights issues with Palestinian and Israeli organizations, as well as observe first-hand the effects of occupation on the Palestinian economy, the land and life.

Become inspired to change the U.S.’s negative role in the conflict, and become a conduit for promoting solidarity between internationals and Palestinian farming communities while learning the benefits of supporting Palestinian Fair Trade products in the U.S. 

Photography by Lauren Matley

July 17: Fair Trade Olive Oil tasting
From the Native Olive Trees in Palestine to Your Table

Join us Saturday July 17, 11-4pm at the San Francisco and Berkeley Global Exchange stores to taste Canaan FairTrade, organic olive oil from Palestine, the ancient home of olive oil.

Canaan olive oil is produced by farmer cooperatives that are members of the Palestine Fair Trade Association.  Canaan Fair Trade uses the fair trade concept to empower marginalized Palestinian rural communities caught in conflict so they can sustain their livelihoods and culture. To that end, they have built direct working relationships with these communities, paying sustainable prices for their agricultural products to ensure fair wages for labor along the supply chain.

Also check out our colorful cotton aprons from around the world perfect for hosting a Fair Trade dinner party!

Global Exchange Fair Trade San Francisco Store
4018 24th Street (near Noe)
San Francisco CA 94114 (map)
415.648.8068

Global Exchange Fair Trade Berkeley Store
2840 College Ave (Between Russell St. and Stuart St.)
Berkeley, CA 94705 (map)
510.548.0370

(image: Canaan Fair Trade)