Much more than just Italian appetizers, antipasti are coming into their own as snacks, side dishes, and meals in themselves. Simple to prepare and easily combined, these light and savory dishes offer the unsurpassed wealth of flavor inherent in their authentic Italian ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, aged cheeses, briny black and green olives, air-cured prosciutto, dried porcini mushrooms, and the freshest seasonal vegetables. Written by one of America's experts on Italian cooking and illustrated with enticing photographs, this collection of over 75 recipes focuses on the liveliest, most versatile part of the traditional Italian meal.