According to a survey by CGA by NielsenIQ, 75% of Italians go out for aperitivo at least once a month, confirming Italy as the undisputed home of this fascinating tradition.
The aperitivo comes from the idea that a moment of conviviality can be elevated with light drinks. Today, it is a social ritual that has also gained international attention and appreciation as a moment to meet and relax before dinner. Rightly so, surveys show that aperitivo is mainly consumed at bars, but it is undeniable that there is also a domestic, more intimate version, shared among relatives and friends. During summer, the aperitivo can be consumed in one’s own garden or terrace, combining the beauty of socialising with the typical charm of this time of year.
Appetisers: taste and simplicity
Although drinks play a central role in the aperitivo, one cannot overlook the importance of appetisers, whose role is precisely to delight the palate while waiting for dinner.
If you plan to invite friends and relatives over for an aperitivo at home, it is essential to prepare a selection of appetisers to suit different tastes. Of course, you can buy them, but why not opt for a handmade creation? In addition to adding a touch of personality and creativity, preparing snacks at home allows you to check the ingredients, adapting them to the preferences, tastes and even dietary restrictions of your guests.
When we decide to prepare appetisers at home, we have two basic needs:
- a short preparation time;
- guest satisfaction.
Time is often limited, so we must be able to create a variety of appetisers quickly without compromising on quality. At the same time, it is essential that the appetisers are satisfying for the people you share them with. Finding the right balance between a quick preparation and taste is the challenge that awaits anyone who dedicates themselves to the preparation of the aperitivo.
Pinsa and aperitivo with friends, the perfect combination
We are certainly biased, but we can definitely recommend pinsa for an aperitivo with friends. First of all, the preparation time is quite short: starting with a Roman pinsa base, a handful of minutes is enough to serve a tasty and fragrant product.
Even the toppings can be prepared quickly. Trust us, start with fresh cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto crudo: you will offer your guests an explosion of flavours in every bite.
What also makes pinsa suitable for an aperitivo is its lightness. Appetisers prepare the palate for dinner, which is why they should not be heavy. Pinsa, with its thin and digestible base, fits the needs, offering a tasty and light choice that allows you to enjoy the meal afterwards.
Finally, the selection of appetisers is essential to create a convivial atmosphere and satisfy everyone’s tastes. Therefore, we have decided to publish 10 possible appetisers, all (except one) designed to balance speed of execution and pleasant taste. Five of these, of course, are based on pinsa:
- Salmon and avocado canapés
To make them, spread a layer of cream cheese on sliced bread, then top with slices of smoked salmon and avocado. A final touch of black pepper will add a hint of spice.
- Fruit skewers
Perfect for summer. Simply cut fruit such as pineapple, strawberries, kiwi and grapes into cubes and alternate them on the skewer. If you wish, you can serve them with a chocolate sauce, but as an appetiser this could be a little heavy.
- Pinsa caprese
Freshness, taste and lightness in small appetisers. Here you simply top a pinsa base with mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes and basil leaves, after you take the pinsa out of the oven. Finally, top with extra virgin olive oil and salt.
- Pinsa with olives and sun-dried tomatoes
A mix of intense flavours for a dish which can be prepared almost instantly. The pinsa base is topped with a very thin layer of cream cheese, after which simply add the chopped black olives and sun-dried tomatoes preserved in oil. Watch out so that the cream cheese does not overpower the other flavours.
- Pinsa with grilled vegetables
Light and tasty, perfect for a vegan or vegetarian diet. After grilling the zucchini, eggplant and peppers, lay them on a pinsa base topped with a thin layer of tomato sauce. Then add mozzarella and oregano, and the job is done.
- Mozzarella and cherry tomato skewers
Little time for great results. Simply alternate cubes of fresh mozzarella and cherry tomatoes on skewers. Season with oil, salt and basil.
- Pinsa Margherita
A mix of tradition and innovation. To make it, spread tomato sauce on a Roman pinsa base, and then add mozzarella and fresh basil. Bake the base in the oven for a handful of minutes, until it reaches the right crispness.
- Prosciutto and cantaloupe wraps
Another great classic of Italian summer tradition. Simply wrap slices of prosciutto around wedges/slices of cantaloupe to make an iconic dish.
- Salmon and arugula pinsa
Tasty and refined. In this case, simply season a pre-cooked pinsa base (Roman pinsa) with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and cook it for a few minutes. Then add slices of smoked salmon and fresh arugula.
- Homemade spring rolls
This is an exception, as the preparation time is anything but short. However, if you are not in a hurry, it can be a very good idea. First, you need to prepare a mix of julienne-cut vegetables, then add a touch of chopped garlic and soy sauce and finally wrap everything in rice sheets to fry. The spring rolls are then served with a sweet and sour sauce.
