🧀 Apertivo Italiano-The Small Bites - Campania on a Plate

Aperitivo in Campania means vibrant flavors, fresh herbs, and bites that speak of the land and the sea. Here are some delicious examples to serve alongside your spritz:

Some of my favorites

🍞 Crostini with Buffalo Ricotta, Lemon Zest & Honey

A soft, aromatic bite that brings together sweet and savory.

Ingredients:

• Rustic bread

• Buffalo ricotta

• Zest of an untreated lemon

• Wildflower honey

Instructions:

Lightly toast the bread. Spread ricotta on top, grate some lemon zest, and finish with a drizzle of honey.

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🥒 Zucchine alla Scapece

Fried zucchini marinated in vinegar, garlic, and mint — a traditional Neapolitan side that makes a perfect aperitivo bite.

Ingredients:

• Zucchini

• White vinegar

• Garlic

• Fresh mint

• Olive oil

Instructions:

Slice zucchini into rounds and fry until golden. Drain, then toss in a bowl with vinegar, mint, and garlic slices. Let marinate for a few hours and serve at room temperature.

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🍆 Melanzane Spaccate (Split Eggplants)

A humble yet flavorful dish, often found in home kitchens across the South.

Instructions:

Cut small eggplants in half, then score diagonally across the flesh. Sprinkle with coarse salt and let them rest for 30–40 minutes to remove bitterness.

Fry until golden.

Top with a fresh tomato sauce flavored with oregano, basil, and optionally a bit of garlic.

Delicious served warm or cold.

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🐟 Highlight: Fravaglia & The Treasured Latriglia

One of the true highlights of summer aperitivo in Campania is fravaglia — a crispy mix of freshly caught small fish, lightly fried and served with lemon wedges.

Among these, one stands out: the la Triglia, or red mullet.

Its tender, flavorful meat is a treasure of the Amalfi and Cilento coasts — and nearly impossible to find in the U.S.

Try it fried whole, marinated, or added to a pasta dish for a taste that evokes salty air and sun-warmed harbors.

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🐟 Cetara Anchovies — Tiny Jewels of Flavor

Anchovies from Cetara are famous across Italy. They’re small, intense, and deeply rooted in tradition.

How to enjoy them:

• On crostini with butter and lemon zest

• Served simply with warm bread and white wine

• Or used in countless local recipes — from pasta to pizzas to antipasti

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🧀 Provolone del Monaco — The Cheese with a Bold Soul

Made in the Lattari Mountains above the Amalfi Coast, this aged semi-hard cheese has a bold, slightly spicy flavor.

Slice it thin and pair it with figs, a drizzle of honey, or a crisp rosé wine. A rustic gem from the highlands of Campania.

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🌅 A Little Moment of La Dolce Vita

There’s no clock during aperitivo time in Campania.

It’s the moment when the sea breeze softens the air, the bites are rich with flavor, and conversations flow like prosecco.

Even far from the Amalfi Coast, you can bring this spirit home — with simple ingredients, warm company, and a touch of sunshine.

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📬 Inspired by You

This post was inspired by a lovely message from a reader asking for local drink recipes and small bites.

✨ Have a request or an idea? Write to me — La Dolce Vita is better when shared.

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Enjoyed this journey through Campania’s flavors?

📍 Save this post, share it with a friend, and stay tuned for the next region in our Aperitivo Across Italy series.