Olive breadsticks with cured meats and cheeses
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 8 min
- Makes: Persons
- Cost: Low
PRESENTATION
Olive grissini with cured meats and cheeses—super tasty!—are a staple in Northern Italy, especially during aperitivo gatherings. These olive grissini are crispy Italian breadsticks with bits of olives baked right in. Seriously good. They add a burst of Mediterranean flavor to every bite. And look, this snack not only looks great but also brings together the tender, salty, and slightly tangy notes typical of Italian antipasto platters. In places like Piedmont and Lombardy, you'll often find these breadsticks paired with slices of cured meats—think prosciutto, speck, or salami—alongside a selection of cheeses like aged Parmigiano or creamy Gorgonzola. Really, the key is quality; using top-notch cheese and meat from your local deli makes a huge difference. Honestly, they're not just for fancy gatherings either. People in Italy enjoy them as a casual snack or to kick off a meal, especially when friends stop by.
And here's the thing, these Italian breadsticks are perfect for sharing. A plate of olive grissini offers crunchy, moist, and golden textures, complementing the rich flavors from the meats and cheeses. It’s like a mini charcuterie board but more portable and way better. You know, you'll find this type of antipasto platter at family parties, wine tastings, or in cafés. It’s easy to eat with your hands—no forks needed, pretty much. The mix of cheeses and meats with the briny, earthy taste of grissini with olives is really, really tasty and offers a fun way to mix and match bites. Some even wrap the breadsticks with thin slices of meat, letting all the flavors blend perfectly. Whether you’re new to Italian appetizer recipes or looking for something different, this snack is ideal for anyone who enjoys quick, savory finger food that still feels special. Honestly, nothing says welcome like a plate full of these simple, flavorful breadsticks paired with all the delicious accompaniments.
- INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for one box
- Lamb's lettuce 0.3 cup (10 g)
- Salami 1 slice
- Speck 1 slice
- Prosciutto cotto 1 slice
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Fontina cheese 1 slice
- Olive breadsticks 10
How to prepare Olive breadsticks with cured meats and cheeses
To prepare the box of olive breadsticks with cured meats and cheeses, start by trimming and thoroughly washing the lamb's lettuce (mâche), then put it in a bowl and dress it with oil and salt 1. Take a slice of Salame Milano and make a rose: fold the slice in half 2 and then in half again, rolling it onto itself 3.
Here is the formed salami rose 4. Now roll the slice of speck on itself 5 and proceed in the same way with the cooked ham: you will thus have created two more roses. Set the cured meats aside and cut the slice of Fontina into long, even wedges 6.
Using the olive breadsticks, form a "box": on a square serving plate place two breadsticks vertically and parallel to each other 7, then lay two more horizontally at the ends to form a square 8. Repeat the same to create a second square which you will stack on top of the first 9,
then finish with two vertical breadsticks 10. Now lay the lamb's lettuce inside the box 11, then place the cured meat roses side by side and the cheese wedges 12. The box of olive breadsticks with cured meats and cheeses is ready to be served!