How to Make an Antipasto Platter

You can assemble various foods into an attractive spread easily. Antipasto calls for serving an array of cheeses, meats, breads, olives, and vegetables on a large platter. Assembling antipasto is 50 percent presentation.

An antipasto platter can include these items (and many others!):

Mozzarella, provolone, fontina, Parmesan, or goat cheese (cubed or thinly sliced)
Thinly sliced ham, prosciutto, and Genoa salami
Rounds of pepperoni or sopressata salami
Thin slices of mortadella (a garlic-flavored bologna) or capicola (made from cured pork)
Cooked shrimp (best if tossed in a vinaigrette dressing)
Canned anchovies, sardines, or tuna packed in olive oil; drained
Canned chickpeas tossed in vinaigrette dressing
Sun-dried tomatoes in oil, grape tomatoes, halved cherry tomatoes
Marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, capers, roasted cipollini onions
Assorted black and green olives
Assorted fresh vegetables
Sliced ripe pears, melon, figs, or small bunches of grapes
Flavored breads, breadsticks, and flatbreads