antipasti

Order ‘l’antipasto della casa‘ in any restaurant in the Salento and you can expect up to 15 tiny plates to arrive: Mussels steamed open with fresh herbs, sauteed clams, little potato cakes, fresh tomato salads, a vegetable related to a cucumber, dressed with mint, roasted or steamed snails, olives, roasted peppers, grilled vegetables, and some sort of fresh cheese dressed with bitter local oil.

Many cite the fact that we’re so far south in the Mediterranean that we’ve influenced by Greece and Northern Africa, two places with great ‘small plate’ cultures. Others point out that these little plates are very new, only going back about 40 years or so.

Whatever your view, they’re excellent. Read below to find your favourite!