Italian finger food showcases some of the best ingredients and flavors that Italy has to offer. Each region has its own assortment of favorite finger foods full of high quality, artisanal, local ingredients. A few selections enjoy universal popularity. They summarize everything that is lovely and delectable about Italian finger food.

#1 Suppli  | Stuffed rice balls

Suppli are staples of Roman casual food, often sold in pizzerias, market stalls or as appetizers. They’re succulent oblong-shaped balls made with leftover rice or rice cooked in a simple ragu. The balls are stuffed lightly with mozzarella, coated in bread crumbs and deep fat fried.

#2  Bruschetta | Toast with tomatoes

Bruschetta is Italian-style toast drizzled with olive oil and topped with a mixture of fresh tomatoes and other ingredients. Bruschetta comes from the verb “bruscare,” which means to toast or roast. The type of bread and toppings vary widely, so the delicious combinations are endless, which is half the fun.

#3 Arancini | Rice balls with mozzarella cheese

Arancini di Riso are the Sicilian cousin to suppli, although arancini are usually larger and more conical/round in shape. Aancini di riso consist of any risotto mixture shaped into balls, stuffed with mozzarella, rolled in bread crumbs and fried until golden brown. They’re magnificent with vino or beer.

#4 Focaccia | Flatbread
Focaccia refers to a yeasty flatbread traditionally associated with Luguria, although it’s prepared and consumed throughout Italy. Often eaten on its own, focaccia is also a fantastic delivery system for other ingredients, like fresh produces, cheese, pesto, olio and meat.

#5 Caprese Salad | Mozarella, Basil & tomato

Insalata Caprese, from the island of Capri, boasts the red, white and green of the Italian flag in the heavenly trinity of mozzarella, sweet basil and tomato. It’s no wonder this basic but juicy salad never goes out of style. Seasoned only with salt and olive oil, caprese may be sliced, chopped or incorporated into a sandwich.

#6 Crostini | Toasted bread with toppings
Crostini are a quintessential Italian food appetizer.  This toasted bread starter is topped with a range from roasted veggies to fresh fruit and cured meats.

#7 Prosciutto | Slices of cured ham

Prosciutto slices are arguably the most famous deli meat on a traditional Italian antipasto platter or board. Prosciutto is ham, dry cured and aged to a specific degree of sweetness and delicacy. There are many regional varieties, but two well known types are prosciutto di Parma and prosciutto San Daniele. Both types of ham are salt cured and aged to draw out moisture and deepen flavor. Both hams are safe to eat raw (crudo).

#8 Prosciutto and melon | Cured ham and melon

In Italy, you’ll more than likely encounter prosciutto served as part of an antipasto course, usually with other cured meats, fresh fruit and mozzarella. Prosciutto slices wrapped around ripe figs or melon wedges are a classic, bursting with the satisfying duet of salty and sweet.

Italian finger food is a charming culinary journey worth exploring during a summer vacation. Each small dish is a bit of Italian tradition served on a plate. Imagine soaking up the sun and some mouthwatering local eats while sampling the crisp, sublime flavor profiles of Italian wines. Buon appetito!