Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a Healthy Lifestyle
Updated January 20th 2026
Recipe Summary
Are you keen to replace processed foods and unhealthy saturated fats with a healthy fat from a country with incredible cuisine? Then extra virgin olive oil from Morocco is the perfect choice for you.
- A traditional Moroccan seafood pastilla made with flaky pastry
- Uses extra virgin olive oil for flavour and everyday cooking
- Combines seafood, spices and herbs in a classic Moroccan dish
- Ideal for sharing as a centrepiece meal or special occasion dish
Widely regarded as the healthiest culinary fat, extra virgin olive oil is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and is celebrated for its impressive nutritional profile. Rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, powerful polyphenols, and natural antioxidants, extra virgin olive oil supports overall wellbeing while enhancing flavour in everyday cooking.
Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Tradition of Excellence
Moroccan extra virgin olive oil is gaining global recognition among chefs and health-conscious consumers alike. Morocco’s climate, fertile soil, and centuries-old olive-growing traditions produce oils that are both flavourful and nutritionally rich.
Morocco Gold represents the very best of Moroccan extra virgin olive oil. Carefully crafted from the first pressing of hand-harvested olives, Morocco Gold olive oil delivers an exceptional balance of intense yet delicate flavour, smooth texture, and aromatic complexity.
Because it is unrefined and naturally high in antioxidants, Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil retains more nutrients than standard olive oils. This makes it an ideal choice for daily cooking, salad dressings, dipping, and drizzling, where both health and taste matter.
Cooking A Morocco Classic with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is not only nutritious but incredibly versatile. When used in cooking, it enhances the natural flavours of ingredients while contributing beneficial fats to your meal. Contrary to common myths, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is stable for everyday cooking and performs beautifully in traditional Moroccan dishes.
One classic example is Moroccan seafood pastilla, where the richness of seafood, spices, and pastry pairs perfectly with the smooth, fruity notes of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil.
Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Moroccan Seafood Pastilla
There are many reasons to love Moroccan seafood pastilla, but one of the most compelling is how well it complements premium extra virgin olive oil. Using a high-quality oil like Morocco Gold enhances both the nutritional value and flavour profile of this iconic dish.
The combination of antioxidant-rich olive oil, lean seafood proteins, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs creates a meal that is as nourishing as it is indulgent.
Cooking Tips for Seafood Pastilla
- Use medium heat when cooking seafood to avoid drying it out
- Allow vermicelli to drain fully to prevent excess moisture
- Spread fillings evenly so the pastry cooks consistently
- Brush pastry lightly with fat for crispness, not saturation
- Let the pastilla rest briefly before slicing to hold its shape
If you’re exploring traditional dishes and everyday techniques, discover more in our Recipes & Cooking with Olive Oil and How to Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil guides.
Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Moroccan Seafood Pastilla
Ingredients
- 700g of peeled shrimp
- 600g of squid
- 600g of whiting fish or any type of white fish
- 2 or 3 bay leaves
- 2 or 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 egg
- A bag of Chinese noodles (vermicelli)
- ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of butter (100 grams)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 pack of chopped mushrooms cut into pieces
- 1 pickled lemon
- 50g olives cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cumin,1 tsp ginger, hot sauce
- ½ tsp of turmeric, ½ tsp black pepper
- 500g fine pastry layers (you can make them at home or get the readymade in the market)
Instructions
- Clean whiting fish well and steam it or boil it in salty water to remove the scales easily
- Clean squid with warm water well and cut it into rings then put in a pot with spices, bay leaves, garlic extra virgin olive oil and ½ cup of water and cook until water is evaporated.
- Clean shrimp and grill in a pan with 2 tbsp of butter
- Put the noodles in hot salty water for 5 to 10 minutes then drain them and cut them to small pieces.
- Add, whiting fish, shrimp to Squid then mix well
- In a bowl, put the noodles, mushrooms, olives; tomato sauce, parsley, hot sauce and pickled lemon then mix well.
- Grease the round mold with butter.
- On the bottom of the dish, place 5 sheets of Pastilla well greased with butter (butter side up) in the overlapping like the petals of a flower and leaving the overflow to the outside edges of the dish (about half of the sheet inside the flat, the other half to the outside).
- Place layers in a mold.
- Consolidate the bottom of the Pastilla with 1 or 2 more sheets placed in the centre of the mold.
- Put the mixture of the noodles on the sheets using the back of a spoon to spread it perfectly.
- Put the mixture of seafood over the entire surface of the noodles in order to completely cover the mold.
- Add another sheet of pastry on top then fold those layers of the Pastilla.
- Arrange 3 new sheets on top in an overlapping to close it firmly. Once the Pastilla is closed, spread the yolk of an egg on the top.
- Put the Pastilla in the oven preheated to about 45 minutes (more or less depending on oven). Pastilla should be golden brown on its entire surface, the sides and bottom. It has to be crispy.
- For garnish: Put some ground cheese, shrimp and circles of lemon on the top and serve it hot.
- Your Moroccan Seafood Pastilla is ready to be served
Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Traditionally Used in Moroccan Cooking
Extra virgin olive oil offers a wide range of scientifically recognised health benefits:
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- Supports heart health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol while maintaining HDL (good) cholesterol
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- Rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, which help protect cells from oxidative stress
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- Anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce the risk of chronic diseases
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- Supports blood sugar regulation, making it beneficial for people managing diabetes
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- Promotes gut and brain health, thanks to its healthy fats and bioactive compounds
Unlike refined vegetable oils, extra virgin olive oil is produced through cold mechanical pressing, preserving its nutritional integrity and natural flavour.
FAQs
What is Moroccan seafood pastilla?
Moroccan seafood pastilla is a traditional dish made with layered pastry, mixed seafood, herbs and spices, baked until crisp and golden.
Can I make seafood pastilla in advance?
Yes. You can prepare the filling ahead of time and assemble the pastilla shortly before baking for best texture.
What type of pastry is used for pastilla?
Pastilla is traditionally made using very thin pastry sheets, similar to filo, layered and brushed lightly with fat.
Can I substitute the seafood?
Yes. You can adapt the recipe using different white fish or shellfish depending on availability.
What can I serve with seafood pastilla?
Seafood pastilla is often served with a simple salad, vegetables, or as part of a larger shared meal.
Discover the Moroccan cooking using authentic Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil that not only has great taste but is packed with healthy polphenols
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