Assorted Venetian Cicchetti
A spectacular selection of traditional Venetian small bites served on crusty bread, beautifully pairing textures and classic flavors like cured meats, roasted veggies, and seafood.
35 min
Easy
Italiana
4 servings
The story behind
You have no idea how much I have been wanting to tell you about these bites! The very first time I experienced real cicchetti was while getting lost through the narrow streets of Venice. I stumbled into a 'bacaro' (which is what they call traditional taverns over there) that was absolutely packed with locals standing up and chatting happily. Seeing the glass counters loaded with these small culinary masterpieces won me over instantly. A super friendly bartender told me that these appetizers were originally created so market traders could quickly grab something delicious and cheap in the middle of their working day. Personally, I think they are the absolute perfect option for an afternoon gathering or a casual tapas night at home with friends when you want a relaxed, festive vibe. They look amazing if you serve them on a large wooden board so everyone can pick their favorite, and to drink, a classic cold Venetian Spritz or a glass of bubbly Prosecco are mandatory companions to bring that authentic canal vibe to life. It is pure shared happiness.
Instructions
-
1Slice your artisanal baguette diagonally into medium pieces and lightly brush both sides with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
-
2Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven or on a hot skillet for a few minutes until slightly golden and crisp.
-
3For the meat cicchetti: spread a layer of ricotta cheese onto a toasted slice and top it with a beautifully folded ribbon of thin prosciutto.
-
4For the seafood cicchetti: layer some pickled onions on the bread base and place a well-drained anchovy or sardine right on top.
-
5For the veggie cicchetti: spread a small touch of cream cheese and arrange the roasted bell pepper strips, seasoning with a pinch of dried herbs.
-
6Assemble several pieces of each variety, playing around with your ingredients so the serving tray looks vibrant and filled with color.
-
7Place all the finished open-faced bites onto a large flat serving platter, add a final light dust of freshly cracked black pepper, and serve immediately.
Share this recipe
Rate this recipe
Sign in to the app to rate
You might also like
🍊
Save this recipe to your Zest
Add photos when you cook it, write your story, and share it with a Moment Card.
Create my free account