starter / appetiser
antipasti
an-tee-PAH-stoh
The Italian meal structure is: antipasto → primo (pasta/rice) → secondo (meat/fish) → contorno (side) → dolce (dessert). Not all courses are served at every meal.
Iniziamo con un antipasto di affettati e formaggi.
We start with a starter of cold cuts and cheeses.
L'antipasto misto include bruschetta, olive e salumi.
The mixed starter includes bruschetta, olives and cured meats.