Southern Italian Antipasto Platter

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it’s the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

A few of my favorite things are Italian food, wine, and cooking with friends.

I love to host dinner parties where dishes are served family style on a platter so everyone can share the meal together. One of my favorite appetizers is a Southern Italian Antipasto Platter because it’s perfect for sharing!

A Southern Italian Antipasto Platter features cured meats like prosciutto di Parma, salami picante, sopressata; cheeses like Parmesan cheese or fresh mozzarella; olives and roasted peppers. The beauty of this dish is that you can have fun with what you put out by adding your own favorites – try some hard-boiled eggs, artichoke hearts or grapes.

If you’re looking for creative, easy to make appetizers that are perfect for a dinner party then I’ve got just the recipe for you! This Southern Italian Antipasto Platter is not only delicious but it’s also very visually appealing.

The key to throwing the perfect party is not just great food, but also having a variety of dishes that your guests will love. This appetizer platter is easily adaptable for any occasion from summer BBQs to the holiday season!

This Italian dish is the perfect solution for any type of get-together, including any holiday meal or even at a cocktail party, so if you’re looking for something light and easy, keep reading!

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!
How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

What is Antipasto?

Antipasto is a term used in Italian cuisine to describe dishes, usually starters, served before the main course. The word antipasto comes from the Latin prefix “ante” meaning “before” and paste meaning “meal.” Antipasti can be hot or cold dishes, and range from simple vegetable dishes to complex compositions involving a variety of meats, seafood, and cheeses.

It’s a great way to get a group of friends around the table and enjoy each others’ company over a good meal which is why it’s a perfect and traditional first course of an Italian meal

There really isn’t a set recipe, but I hope this antipasto platter will inspire you to create your own.

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

Is Charcuterie the Same as Antipasto?

Charcuterie is a French word that refers to the art of preparing and preserving meat products.

Antipasto, as we discussed earlier, is an Italian term used for dishes served before the main course. However, in modern day vernacular, the two words are often used interchangeably.

Antipasto generally features Italian appetizers and items such as cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables. A charcuterie board on the other hand typically includes a variety of cured pork meats, and often incorporates French items such as pate and terrine.

There isn’t really a set antipasto platter recipe, but I have shared what I used, and included even more ideas below.

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

How do Make Antipasto Ahead of Time

Since antipasto contains meat and cheeses, the items should not be kept at room temperature for more than 2 hours. The easiest way to to this is to keep each item covered it with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container, stored in the fridge. You will want to keep most of the items in the fridge until you are ready to serve your guests.

Cheese does taste best at room temperature though, so remember to place any cheese on the counter about 30 minutes before serving.

Arrange it all on a large platter when your guests are ready to eat!

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

What Type of Platter is Best for Serving Antipasto?

You can serve antipasto on a large wood cutting board or a large serving platter. You can also use smaller bowls and plates to create individual antipasto servings.

I like to use a variety of different shapes and sizes for my antipasto platter, which gives it a more eclectic feel.

Ideas for What To Include in an Antipasto Platter

I’ve given the “recipe” for the pictured antipasto platter, however you can get really creative, especially if you have a local Italian deli! Here are some ideas for what you can include.

Best Meats for an Antipasto Platter

Meats on an antipasto platter are most often rolled, and loosely arranged. This makes them easy for guests to pick up. The best best antipasto platters will offer at least two different types of cured Italian meats.

  • Ham
  • Genoa Salami
  • Soppressata
  • Prosciutto
  • Capicola
  • Mortadella
  • Ricotta

Best Vegetables for an Antipasto Platter

Veggies offer a splash of colour, freshness, and a change of texture. You can find most of these already prepared at the grocery store, or you can prepare them at home. When curating the perfect antipasto platter, be sure to include plenty of veggies!

  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Marinated olives
  • Marinated artichoke hearts
  • Grilled or pickled pepperoncini
  • Marinated mushrooms

Best Breads for an Antipasto Platter

Include one or a variety of breads with your platter.

  • Fresh Italian bread
  • Focaccia
  • Bread sticks
  • Crostini

Best Cheese for an Antipasto Platter

To serve the Italian cheese you have chosen to include, you can put out small wedges of each cheese and let the guests cut their own or you can cut slices in advance to make it easy for your guests. You should include different kinds of cheeses – a mix of hard cheeses and soft cheeses is best.

  • Fresh Mozzarella cheese
  • Havarti cheese
  • Gorgonzola cheese
  • Fresh Buratta
  • Provolone
  • Fontina
How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

Other Items to Include in an Antipasti Platter

After choosing your main ingredients you will want to include some extras to provide more flavour and texture choices.

I chose to include fig jam to pair with the ricotta, walnuts for some crunch, fresh figs, and grapes.

Other items you could include:

  • Crudites (fresh vegetables) like Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, fresh red bell peppers, cucumber, carrots
  • Dried fruit
  • Giardiniera
  • Boiled eggs
  • Grilled eggplant slices
  • Jams or dip
  • Don’t forget the fresh herbs! They really bring antipasto to life.
  • Seasonal fruits
  • Olive tapenade
How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

More Delicious Appetizer Recipes

Check out some of my favourite appetizer ideas!

Learn how to make baked brie with cranberries and walnuts, it’s the perfect holiday party appetizer. It’s quick, fancy, and tastes delicious!

This easy to make Mediterranean mezze platter is the perfect party appetizer or a light meal for friends and family.

Cheese balls are a classic party appetizer and this Jalapeno bacon cheese ball is one of the best. It has the most perfect combination of creamy cheese, spicy jalapenos and salty bacon.

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

How to Put Together a Southern Italian Antipasto Platter

Yields: 4-6 Servings | Prep time: 30 Mins | Cook time: 0 Mins

Ingredients:

1 large ball burrata cheese
4 oz. Provolone cheese, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 oz. hot sopressata, thinly sliced
3 oz. sweet sopressata, thinly sliced
4 fresh figs, quartered
4 oz. fresh ricotta cheese
3 T. Easy Homemade Vanilla Fig Jam
3 T. walnuts, chopped
1 6-oz. jar roasted red peppers, sliced
1 4-oz. container marinated and seasoned mixed olives
1 8-oz. jar artichoke hearts, drained
1 lbs. red seedless grapes, split into 3 or 4 bunches
Fresh basil and rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Crusty Italian bread, thinly sliced.

Directions:

  1. Place the burrata in the center of a serving platter and arrange the Provolone cheese, sopressata, and fresh figs around it.
  2. Fill a small serving bowl with the ricotta cheese and top with the fig jam and walnuts and place near the burrata arrangement.
  3. Transfer the roasted red peppers, seasoned olives, and marinated artichoke hearts to individual serving dishes and position near the other items.
  4. Tuck the grapes, fresh herb sprigs, and crusty bread slices (if using) in around the other ingredients to create a nice display and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Southern Italian Antipasto Platter
Yield: 4-6 Servings

Southern Italian Antipasto Platter

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it’s the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

Ingredients

  • 1 large ball burrata cheese
  • 4 oz. Provolone cheese, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 oz. hot sopressata, thinly sliced
  • 3 oz. sweet sopressata, thinly sliced
  • 4 fresh figs, quartered
  • 4 oz. fresh ricotta cheese
  • 3 T. Easy Homemade Vanilla Fig Jam
  • 3 T. walnuts, chopped
  • 1 6-oz. jar roasted red peppers, sliced
  • 1 4-oz. container marinated and seasoned mixed olives
  • 1 8-oz. jar artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1 lbs. red seedless grapes, split into 3 or 4 bunches
  • Fresh basil and rosemary sprigs, for garnish
  • Crusty Italian bread, thinly sliced.

Instructions

  1. Place the burrata in the center of a serving platter and arrange the Provolone cheese, sopressata, and fresh figs around it.
  2. Fill a small serving bowl with the ricotta cheese and top with the fig jam and walnuts and place near the burrata arrangement.
  3. Transfer the roasted red peppers, seasoned olives, and marinated artichoke hearts to individual serving dishes and position near the other items.
  4. Tuck the grapes, fresh herb sprigs, and crusty bread slices (if using) in around the other ingredients to create a nice display and serve immediately. Enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 398Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 891mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 5gSugar: 22gProtein: 17g

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How to make an antipasto platter with a southern Italian twist, it's the perfect appetizer for any dinner party or event!

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