The Charcuterie Craze; What to put on your next Charcuterie board!

Now that we can gather again, many of us are looking for a fun way to offer pre-dinner snacks and picky items at our next gathering. **Charcuterie board enters the chat.**

You may have heard the word Charcuterie or have even seen it on menus at some of your favorite restaurants. First, let's break down what a charcuterie board is and then we will get into what we suggest you put on your next one!

Technically speaking, a charcuterie board is a display of cured meat. Nowadays charcuterie has evolved to include not only meat but also cheese, bread, and spreads. Us Italians have mastered this culinary meat exhibit but we have put our own little twist on it.

First, we call these charcuterie boards “antipasto platters.” Antipasto, meaning “before meal,” traditionally includes olives, cured meats, bread, cheese, vegetables, and sometimes fish. At Battimelli’s A&S Italian fine foods our antipasto platters are a customers favorite when they plan on a large gathering or even a quiet night with a couple of close friends and family.

Here is what we suggest you put on your next Antipasto (charcuterie board) Platter:

**Serving 10-12 people**

• ½  lb of Parma Prosciutto (we use Fratelli Galloni Prosciutto) 
• ¼ lb of slicing soppressata (take your pick of hot or sweet --- maybe even both)
• ⅓ lb of our house-made dried sausage (take your pick of hot or sweet --- maybe even both)
• 6 Bocconcini (cut in half) marinated in salt and pepper, red pepper flakes and extra virgin olive oil
• Red roasted peppers (to preference)
• Marinated artichoke hearts (to preference) 
• Marinated mushrooms
• Cerignola Mediterranean Olives
• A chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 
• Two balls of fresh burrata cheese 
• Truffle honey from Sabatino Tartufi 
• Mario Fongo Grissini 
• Our house-made prosciutto bread
• Your favorite loaf of fresh italian bread

Buon Appetito **Chef’s Kiss**