Antipasto (Ahn-tea-PAH-stoh) is a typical Italian dish. Its name means “before the meal” and, as its name says, it is presented before the beginning of a formal meal both in restaurants and homes.
Before we can discuss how to arrange an antipasto tray, we need to know what items make up such plate.
Antipasto dishes are as varied as the regions of Italy. Most of them are composed with thinly sliced cold cuts, sliced cheeses, and vegetables preserved in oil (sott’olio) and in vinegar (sott’aceto).
Some combinations might include julienned bell peppers and thinly sliced eggplants previously grilled and then preserved in oil.
Others might include bruschetta (brew-SKEH-ttah) or melon slices and Italian bread sticks wrapped in prosciutto crudo (pro-SHOE-ttoh CREW-doh).
With all these ingredients in mind, let us take a look at different presentation ideas.
Four Seasons Arrangement
With this plating idea you will divide the dish into four quarters, like the four seasons, and assign one specific ingredient to each quarter. If you have more than four items to place, you may choose to prepare multiple plates, each carrying four choices. You may also choose to combine, within one section, similar items.
Circular (or Rectangular) Arrangements
With this combination you will form a design following the shape of the tray. Starting from the outer edge of the platter, begin arranging one of the items. When that first placement is done, choose another item and arrange it slightly overlapping the existing one. You may choose to alternate items (cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables) or you may choose to first arrange all the cold cuts, then all the cheeses, and then the vegetables.
Sliced Pie Arrangements
As with the Four Season Arrangement you will divide the platter into sections. However, you will have multiple sections instead of the original four.
Each part will house one type of food. You may want to alternate placement of cold cuts with cheeses and vegetables, instead of grouping similar items together, to give the plate a different look than the first arrangement.
A few more tips are in order at this time.
All platters are better prepared the same day you are planning to serve them. It would be even better if they are prepared only a couple of hours before. This will avoid the mixing of flavors and the items will not dry out.
To arrange cold cuts on the trays gently place small slices, or loosely fold large slices, of the chosen cold cut onto the section of the platter. If you are using more than one type of cold cut within the same section, you may want to arrange the types from darker to lighter color, or alternate between them.
If you choose to serve bruschetta make sure to place cold cuts next to it instead of vegetables, as the oil or vinegar from the vegetables will render the bruschetta soggy.
If you decide to serve Italian bread sticks wrapped in prosciutto crudo, you will need to prepare them at the very last moment as prolonged contact of the cold cut with the bread sticks will make the latter mushy.
Antipasto is a great way to start the meal and encourage the sharing of stories that happens any time family members gather around a table for an important meal.
