24 crostini recipes

This simplest of pesto recipes becomes an easy and delicious cracker spread by adding softened cream cheese.

Mushroom pate with a pound of sauteed mushrooms, dry vermouth, Parmesan, sour cream, and toasted pecans. A rich, earthy spread for crackers and crostini.

Condimento Pugliese: roasted red pepper spread with olive oil and red pepper flakes. A chunky Italian condiment for crostini, pasta, or bruschetta. Five ingredients, no cook.

Roasted eggplant and vegetable pate with charred eggplant, yellow peppers, ginger, jalapeno, cumin, and lime. A smoky vegan spread for crostini, crackers, or sandwich filling. Keeps a week.

Ligurian caviar is an Italian olive paste spread blended with capers and red pepper flakes. A briny, spicy vegetarian crostini topping that keeps in the fridge for two weeks.

Spinach pesto appetizer: a sliceable, high-protein cheesecake-style savory loaf with spinach, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and Romano. Perfect make-ahead party food served chilled with crackers or crostini.

Italian-style hot fish pickle made from canned tuna, salmon, or anchovy mashed with white wine, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs. A bold spread for crackers, crostini, or pasta.

Polenta Toscana with rosemary and toasted walnuts sauteed in olive oil, stirred into creamy polenta. Serve it soft or cool it and slice into crostini. A simple Tuscan vegetarian side or appetizer.