Holiday Grazing, Italian Style

Caprese, cured meats, and pesto, please

BY DANIELLE ROSE

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, there is an endless procession of traditional meals, celebrations, and sweet treats. It all happens so fast, we often forget to stop and enjoy it. Sometimes the most meaningful moments during the holidays are the times in between the big events: The hours spent in the kitchen cooking and baking with family, afternoons when friends stop by, nights spent wrapping gifts or just sitting by the tree. It’s nice to have something on hand that can be served anywhere, anytime, without extra effort. An antipasto board is the perfect solution. This Italian cousin to the charcuterie board has festive color, bold flavor, and varied texture. It’s perfect for grazing around the kitchen island or coffee table, and it’s easy to bring along to a party. It can be thrown together in no time, and it’s much more satisfying than a plate of cookies.

There is no culinary precision to these boards. Everything on it is inherently appetizing, so you can’t go wrong. If you want to arrange it artfully, place contrasting colors, shapes, and textures next to one another, and leave a bit of space in between. A wood cutting board looks nice, if you’re serving it at home, but a platter with a rim makes it much easier to transport.