Antipasti

The Romans were fond of the antipasto, the course that comes before the primo (first course). They used to eat things like preserved fish, such as anchovies, and shellfish washed down with a mixture of wine and honey. The point of this course is to titillate the palate and awaken the stomach to the pleasures to come. Its name comes from ante meaning before and pasto meaning meal.

A respectable Italian meal of any kind starts with at least a few slices of salami and some pickled vegetables. The more formal the meal, the more varied and interesting the antipasto. It is also a way of showing off the host or hostess’s skills of special preparation and presentation!