antipasti
Pre-meal Italian nibbles
Antipasti is the plural of antipasto, the Italian term for appetizers or small dishes served before the main course.
A typical spread includes cured meats, cheeses, olives, marinated vegetables, and bruschetta: The antipasti were so filling we barely touched the pasta.
The singular antipasto appears less often in English, where antipasti has become the default form.
Grilled bread with toppings
- capreseItalian tomato-mozzarella preparation
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
- olivesSmall Mediterranean fruits
mozzarella · artichokes · tapenade · caponata · giardiniera · grissini · focaccia · pecorino
Pre-dinner drink ritual
- startersThings that initiate
- small platesShareable appetizer-sized portions
- sharingDividing among others
- assortmentMixed collection of things
platter · spread · selection · variety · tasting · sampler · grazing · convivial
bruschetta
Grilled bread with toppings
- capreseItalian tomato-mozzarella preparation
- crostiniToasted Italian appetizer bread
- prosciuttoUncooked cured Italian ham
olives · mozzarella · artichokes · tapenade · caponata · giardiniera · grissini · focaccia · pecorino · salumi
aperitivo
Pre-dinner drink ritual
- startersThings that initiate
- small platesShareable appetizer-sized portions
- sharingDividing among others
assortment · platter · spread · selection · variety · tasting · sampler · grazing · convivial · leisurely
marinated
Soaked in flavored liquid
grilled · drizzled · sliced · stuffed · sundried · balsamic · olive oil · seasoned · brined · smoked
platter
Large flat serving dish
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- garnishDecorative food topping
- colorfulFull of varied hues
assorted · display · board · tiered · rustic · elegant · composed · artful
- Italian foodspaghetti, risotto, gnocchi, ravioli, tortellini
- appetizersmozzarella sticks, canapes, bruschetta, buffalo wings, nachos
- Italian delisalami, prosciutto, mortadella, coppa, capicola
- food extrasappetizers, dips, spreads, snacks, finger foods
- shared dishesfondue, hot pot, tapas, mezze, dim sum
- aperitivoAperol, Aperol spritz, Campari, spritz, prosecco
antipastidessert
Sweet course after dinner
dolci · main course · entrée · dessert course · digestivo
antipastimain course
Primary dish served
entrée · secondi · main dish · hearty meal · full portion
- antipasto saladChilled Italian appetizer platter
- antipasto platter