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5.0 from 15 votes

An Italian-Inspired Grazing Board With 7 Antipasto Ideas

This Italian grazing platter contains simple dips and spreads from the South Italian home cuisine—from sweet to spicy to hearty to umami-flavored. Every small plate is kept simple, so this Italian platter comes together quickly whether you plan to entertain guests or make it a fun dinner. They are all easy to make yet big on flavors. Make the tapas ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.

Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 249 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Dips And Spreads
  • 1 ¾ cups Seasoned Whipped Ricotta With Honey recipe here
  • 1 Mozzarella And Sun-Dried Tomato Platter recipe here
  • 1 cup Spicy Italian Redd Belle Pepper Spread recipe here
  • ⅓ cup Creamy Parsley And Anchovy Spread recipe here
  • ⅓ cup Spiced Apricot Jam recipe here
  • ½ cup Kalamata Olive And Fig Tapenade recipe here
Crostini & Bread
  • 24 Garlic Crostini made from 1 baguette recipe here
  • crackers You can use gluten-free
  • Extra crusty fresh bread optional. You can also go for pitta bread or pitta chips.
Fresh vegetables (go for whatever is in season)
  • sliced cucumbers or raw fennel thinly sliced lengthwise
  • Medium-sized peeled carrots or crunchy red bell peppers thinly sliced lengthwise
  • Small yellow mini or cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
  • Microgreens or Arugula leaves taste great as a peppery and nutty topping and a beautiful garnish
Fruits (go for whatever is in season) and nuts
  • Oranges, quartered
  • Grapes on the vine or pomegranate
  • An assortment of dried fruits like figs and apricots or use fresh figs
  • A mixture of nuts like walnuts or pistachios or toasted and salted almonds optional, cashews and Brazil nuts can also work
  • A variety of berries like strawberries, goldenberries, raspberries, and blueberries in warmer seasons
  • Extra black or green olives
Cheeses
  • An assortment of soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert These are French cheeses but a great addition to the platter.
  • Or an assortment of charper Italian cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano Manchego, or an aged Gouda

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Arrange the small plates: On a large grazing board, arrange the small dips and spreads around the center but on different parts of the boards.
  2. Arrange the cheeses: If using store-bought cheeses as well (optional), arrange them around the small plates on the board.
  3. Arrange the garlic crostini and bread: Fill up some of the gaps on one side of the board by arranging the crostini, crackers, or pitta bread. You can leverage the table by placing extra artisan bread or crostini next to the board.
  4. Start filling the gaps: Arrange any vegetables, fruits, and nuts that you plan to use and offer to fill up any gaps or blank spaces on the board. Feel free to leverage the table as well and place some of the items next to the board if there is not enough space.
  5. Serve: Serve with small spoons, knives, and cutting knives next to the mezze board, as well as small serving plates.

Notes

  • Prep time: Make the dips and spreads in advance for easy entertaining. Then, the assembling time only takes 10 minutes. Allow the dips and spreads to come to room temperature. If you make everything on the same day, the whole mezze platter comes together in as little as 35 to 45 minutes.
  • If making everything on the same day: I often first prep the crostini bread, and while in the oven, I start making the dips and spreads—still keeping an eye on the crostini from time to time. I often leave the cutting and washing the veggies and fruits and assembling the cheeses for last.
  • Charcuterie: If preferred, add meats like prosciutto, mortadella, or other dry-cured meats.
  • Olive Oil: Feel free to add a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to the table to dip in the bread (optional).
  • For a smaller grazing board: Leave out a few plates and additions. You can easily adjust this Mediterranean platter to serve a small group of people (2-4).
  • Make it a larger grazing board: Add more protein-centric dishes from leftovers to make a large grazing board. Here are a few suggestions: umami-flavored Italian egg muffins, healthy homemade chicken salad, tiny cups of nourishing Stracciatella soup, tender Italian meatballs, prepared lupini beans, marinated chicken wings, small bowls of sweet potato, and spicy chorizo stew.

Nutrition Information

Calories 249kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 36g (12%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Cholesterol 22mg (7%) Sodium 434mg (18%) Potassium 173mg (5%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 554IU (11%) Vitamin C 16mg (18%) Calcium 154mg (15%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 249

% Daily Value*

Calories 249kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 36g 12%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 434mg 18%
Potassium 173mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 554IU 11%
Vitamin C 16mg 18%
Calcium 154mg 15%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.