Antipasto

Italy's traditional cuisine is no less famous than other elements of that country's culture. It is diverse, multicolored and features rich and at the same time tart aromas. Nevertheless, Italian cuisine, one might say, is devoid of those delights that amaze us, for example, French cuisine. Traditional Italian cooking is much simpler, but the process of preparing many dishes resembles the creation of real masterpieces.

Take, for example, a dish called antipasto, the history of which begins in the 15th century. So, in 1475, the Vatican librarian Bartolomeo Sacchi released the work "On True Joy and Good Health, " in which the Romans were advised, contrary to the established tradition, to start refectory with fruits. Its culinary delights have translated into a truly magnificent result - a wonderful dish consisting of pieces of ham with melon, peaches or figs - Antipasto.

Today, by antipasto, which literally means "instead of spaghetti (pasta)" it is customary to understand the traditional hot or cold meat and vegetable snack in Italian cuisine. Antipasto is prepared, as a rule, on the basis of meat and seafood typical for this country, along with specially prepared vegetables. An antipasto is served on a large platter or rotating tray of wood in front of the main dish for the inhabitants of Italy - pasta.

The components of the antipasto are laid out on the dish in such a way that a composition is obtained that is harmonious in both taste and appearance. Meanwhile, some varieties of antipasto may have separate names and be used as a separate snack, for example, bruschetta or caprese.

For classic Italian cuisine, the antipasto mainly includes six to seven different most popular foods - these can be smoked, olives, grilled or toasted and pickled with various spicy herbs vegetables, caprese, cheeses (in particular mozzarella), seafood, pieces of fresh fruit, fresh greens.

For the prepared dish, you will be offered a variety of breads, high-quality natural olive oil (for example, Virgin olive oil), as well as flavored Italian wine or balsamic vinegar.

It is worth noting that a huge amount of antipasto cooking options are distinguished, while diversity is achieved by replacing some ingredients with others: shrimp can replace octopuses or pieces of red fish. Instead of various seafood, several varieties of meat are often used, and sometimes you can do without it altogether. In addition, the replacement of cheeses, a set of herbs or vegetables also contributes to the creation of completely unique combinations.