The difference between antipasti and antipasto? Very simple. Antipasti is the plural of antipasto. But what exactly is it? Antipasto is Italian for small starter or appetizer. In the Netherlands you often see 'antipasti' (or various antipasto) on the menu among the starters in an Italian restaurant.
Antipasto is not pasta
Despite what many people think, this dish has nothing to do with pasta. Yes, it's Italian and yes, the word "pasta" is pretty much in there, so the confusion is completely understandable. But an antipasto is a (savory) appetizer that is traditionally served before the evening meal.
Ideal to serve to your guests when they are waiting for the hot main course and you are still in the kitchen.
The classics among antipasti
Antipasto comes from Italy and has many forms. A very well-known stand-alone antipasto is a slice of Parma ham or Serrano ham, or a bowl of olives. But a small salad such as the well-known 'insalata caprese' with fresh slices of buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomato and basil leaves, is also an antipasto and is often served as a starter. There are many variations and recipes for this.
There is no hard rule as to what constitutes antipasti in terms of starters, but there are certainly classics that come up a lot. Below is a selection of classic Italian antipasti:
- bruschetta
- Crostini
- Meats, such as Parma ham, salami, prosciutto and mortadella
- Insalata Caprese
- Focaccia
- Olives
- Vitello tonnato
- Fresh pesto with bread
- Caponata (cooked or grilled vegetables, including eggplant)
- Figs with prosciutto
There are numerous recipes for all these snacks and small dishes online if you want to make your own. Are you looking for snacks or a nice recipe for a starter? Then antipasti are tasty and relatively easy snacks from Italian cuisine to prepare.
When is it called an antipasto?
Anything that can be eaten as a stand-alone snack or dish before a meal can be called an antipasto. These are not fixed, specific dishes, although it is common for them to be of Italian origin. That is why an antipasto can be different in every restaurant. You will of course encounter the above classics on many menus.
See you on the map 'antipasti misto' to stand? Misto literally means 'mixed', which together with the plural of antipasto indicates that you can expect a mix of various antipasti on one plate or snack board. If nothing is listed, you can always ask which specific antipasto is on the board together.
“A menu often includes antipasti, the dish is then a combination of several antipasto.”
Order an antipasti platter for home use
Do you love antipasto as a starter, but do you always find it a shame that this is only such a light snack before the meal? For those who want to be able to serve an easy and luxurious starter for 8 people at home or simply want to enjoy it with antipasti bubbling, we have a nice antipasti drinks board composed with delicious meats in the leading role.
At Food and Wood you can find the antipasti drinks box to order. A drinks box full of Italian-inspired flavors and products, including:
- Prosciutto
- Beef sausage with truffle mayonnaise
- Mortadella with pistachio
- Dry sausage
- Coppa
- Salami
- Serrano ham
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Green pesto genovese
- Fig chutney
- Sweet olives
- Traditional taralli
- Chips with black truffle
- Manchego
View the full contents of the drinks box for at home here and order it immediately! Would you rather have drinks differently? View our current range here drinks boxes.
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