Antipasto

Antipasto (plural antipasti), often spelled and/or pronounced as antipasta (antipasta salad), means “before the meal” and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses, pickled meats and vegetables (both in oil or in vinegar). The contents of an antipasto vary greatly according to regional cuisine.