20 italian appetizer recipes

Italian marinated eggplant sott'olio made with Japanese eggplant simmered in red wine vinegar, then layered with fresh mint, garlic, and red pepper flakes under olive oil. Marinate two days for bold antipasto flavor.

Italian lentil crostini topped with a velvety lentil puree and bubbly melted Fontina cheese. Earthy, rich, and ready for your next antipasto spread.

Pappa al pomodoro, a thick Tuscan bread and tomato soup with stale Italian bread, fresh and canned Roma tomatoes, garlic, leeks, basil, and olive oil. Rustic Italian comfort.

Fennel focaccia made with frozen bread dough, olive oil, fennel seeds, and cornmeal. A crispy, aromatic Italian flatbread appetizer ready in just 30 minutes.

Marinated mixed Italian olives cracked and soaked with bell peppers, celery, garlic, oregano, and vinegar. Cured at room temperature for two days for bold, giardiniera-style flavor.

Cooked Italian antipasto with carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, black olives, and tuna simmered in tomato sauce and ketchup. A make-ahead party appetizer.

Jewish caponata with eggplant, tri-color bell peppers, green olives, capers, and a sweet vinegar sauce. Serve warm as a side dish or chilled as an appetizer.

Italian sweet and sour onions braised in white wine vinegar, honey, and coriander. Cipollini-style agrodolce side dish simmered until glazed and tender.

Tangy Italian antipasto spread packed with artichoke hearts, two kinds of olives, mushrooms, and a zesty vinegar-olive oil dressing. Make it ahead - it's better the next day.

Bite-size pepperoni pizza bites made on English muffins with pizza sauce, green pepper, and melted mozzarella. Microwaved in 1 minute for a 5-minute snack.

A savory and delicious dish made with eggplant, pine nuts and tasty kalamata olives.

Crisp Belgian endive leaves loaded two ways: smoked salmon with creamy Taleggio and fennel, or bresaola with roasted peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. No-cook Italian appetizers in 20 minutes.

Provençal aioli platter: poached cod, beef carpaccio, blanched vegetables, baby potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs arranged around homemade garlic aioli. The summer party centerpiece.

Rolled calzone stuffed with pesto, ham, capicola, provolone, roasted red peppers, and pepperoncini. Homemade herb pizza dough baked golden and sliced into pinwheels.

Orecchiette dell'ortolano: Italian gardener's-style pasta with broiled eggplant, fire-roasted peppers, asparagus, and fresh fava beans tossed with olive oil and garlic.

Rustic Italian focaccia topped with roasted red peppers, slow-cooked onions, tomatoes, and fresh basil. Garlic-infused olive oil dough hand-kneaded and dimpled for crispy edges.