olive oil, and cover them. In this
way they can be stored for months.
Black olives can be treated in the
same way, or simply put straight
into olive oil without the garlic or
thyme. Cyprus green olives are
cracked and spiced with coriander.
AMBELOPOÙLIA
These are the tiny birds called
beccafica or figpeckers. In Cyprus
they are preserved in vinegar and
eaten whole, bones and all.
Pluck a dozen beccafica, cut off
the feet, and, if they are to be
preserved, the heads as well, but do
not clean them out.