Learn how to create an Italian entertaining essential.

Antipasto, which means “before the meal,” refers to the traditional first course of an Italian meal. We love the flavor and texture combinations of a classic antipasto platter—they work beautifully as a starter or spread for entertaining.

Once you arrange your antipasto platter, be sure to keep leftover ingredients on hand in case you need to replenish. Chances are, your guests will gobble this up!

Follow our tips below to pull off an Italian classic in no time.

How to Build an Antipasto Platter

Start with your base. Any flat surface will work. A serving tray, cake pedestal, marble slab or even an old cutting board is the perfect foundation for antipasto ingredients.

1. Choose at least two cured meats. We recommend prosciutto or salami. Prosciutto, an Italian dry-cured ham, is thinly sliced and has a slightly salty, delicate flavor. Salami, more robust in taste, is seasoned with garlic, salt, black and white peppercorns, fennel seeds, and red or white wine.

2. Select at least two cheeses. Our rule of thumb is to select one hard cheese and one soft cheese. Try Granino from Italy or our aged smoked provolone from Italy. Or keep it classic with two Italian favorites, fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano. Handcrafted from simple ingredients, mozzarella slices beautifully and has a creamy texture. You can easily make it stand out even more by adding a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of fresh herbs.

Parmigiano Reggiano, the “King of Cheeses,” is made in Parma, Italy where it is aged for at least 18 months before it’s approved by the Italian Consortium and shipped to our stores. To serve, place the entire block on your platter with a cheese knife or use a vegetable peeler to create bite-sized shavings.

3. Add something crunchy. To create balance and texture, we suggest adding a little crunch to your platter. Crackers, crunchy breadsticks or truffle almonds are all tasty options. Truffle almonds are buttery Marcona almonds dusted with rich, aromatic black truffle. They’re crunchy, flavorful and downright addictive.

4. Add something sweet. Opt for dried figs, cherries, sundried tomatoes or any of The Fresh Market Organic Jams.

5. Add something salty. Try pickled vegetables or briny olives. We offer a wide selection, both with and without pits, plain or stuffed with pimentos or garlic. Visit our olive bar to peruse all of the varieties of olives and other antipasto. Nestle your favorite salty bites in a small bowl and if there are pits, be sure to add a second bowl for guests to dispose of them.

6. Don't forget the pane! Italian, Classic Ciabatta and Pane Toscano are our favorites. Look for a loaf or baguette that has a firm, crusty exterior and a soft, airy interior. Simply slice, toast and brush with olive oil, then nestle the slices alongside bruschetta and soft cheese.