Easy Antipasto Platter

An antipasto platter is an excellent way to start any gathering.  The ingredients are versatile and the presentation is big!

I Love A Good Antipasto Platter

Next to putting together an antipasto platter, eating an antipasto platter is what I love most!  This is one of my favorite ways to start off any event; be it a dinner party, a simple gathering with friends or a holiday meal.   Antipasto platter holds something for everyone, they are fun to eat and they can fit absolutely anything you throw at them. They are the “clean your pantry” kind of appetizer.

I’m not going to give you much of a recipe today.  I will guide you through how I assemble an antipasto platter, but know that almost anything goes when it comes to putting this together.  I went for a Christmas tree shape, but you could arrange everything on a platter dish and forget about it.  I outlined my tree with arugula, but you don’t have to use any greens at all.  I wanted it more for presentation than anything else.

You do not have to have rows or layers.  You can make piles or even toss everything together.  The quantities of each type of food can vary according to your tastes or the tastes of your guests.  Small plates, forks or toothpicks make picking out items easier for your guests.

This Antipasto Platter Is Filled With..

Pepperoncini peppers (my favorite pickled pepper; read this Peppronicini guide to learn more), tortellini, soppressata, Gouda, artichokes, prosciutto, olives (blue cheese stuffed), salami, roasted peppers, Asiago, tomatoes, black olives, almonds and figs.  I tried to balance the flavors and the textures with each layer of this tray; some vinegar based, some not and alternating between the meats and cheeses.  The nuts and fruit add completely different elements to this tray.

Other possible antipasto ingredients are:

• Feta
• Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Grapes (red or green)
• Dried Apricots
• Pecans or Walnuts
• Pepperoni
• Marinated Mushrooms
• Giardinara
• Capers
• Pita Bread
• Hummus Spread
• Marinated Mozzarella
• Peppers
• Hearts of Palm

I like to think of this antipasto platter like a giant appetizer buffet; where everyone eats what they want and they eat how much they want.  Everyone digs in and serves themselves.  Nothing is especially filling, nothing is too heavy, just perfect little bites to satiate everyone’s appetites.

I could eat antipasto as a meal with a good glass of wine.  If you want to take it as step beyond an appetizer, my Italian Chopped Salad with Tortellini  or these Hot Italian Party Sandwiches incorporate the antipasto theme into different courses.