The Culinary Journey Through Antipasti: A Personal Reflection
The essence of my culinary roots is steeped in a unique experience that began in the 1990s. My best friend, Ben Hodges, who once graced the kitchens of the River Café, and I embarked on a culinary adventure that took us from weddings to festivals, cooking delightful Spanish and Italian dishes. Our excursions to the south of Spain in search of high-quality olive oil were just as memorable as the food we prepared.
This journey ignited a lifelong admiration for the simplicity and richness of Mediterranean cuisine, characterized by its heritage products designed for preservation. Think of Italy’s prosciutto and bresaola, and Spain’s jamón serrano and chorizo. Each dish, an echo of tradition, continues to capture my palate.
As an aficionado of these flavors, it’s no surprise that my favorite meals often begin with small bites of antipasti, tapas, or pintxos. Supermarkets have adapted by providing various antipasti and tapas platters, and I recently tasted ten different selection packs to discern the quality.
While I found the quality generally impressive, I did notice a significant gap in animal welfare credentials, especially when it came to nitrate- and nitrite-free options. That being said, I appreciate that many prosciuttos are simply cured with salt, making them a healthier choice. Here’s a closer look at some of the best supermarket offerings.
The Best Supermarket Antipasti Cured Meats
Best Overall: Waitrose No 1 Antipasto Misto
Price: £4.80 for 120g (£4/100g)
Rating: ★★★★☆
- Includes PDO prosciutto di Parma, salame brianza, and coppa.
- Delicate, wafer-thin slices made from high-quality Italian pork.
- Waitrose’s commitment to sourcing meets specific standards enhances traceability.
Overall, a fantastic blend of quality and value.
Best Bargain: Brindisa Iglesias Spanish Charcuterie Selection
Price: £8.50 for 200g (£4.25/100g)
Rating: ★★★☆☆
- Features deeply cured serrano ham, chorizo, salchichón, and lomo.
- Individually packed for convenience over several days.
- Produced by Cárnicas Iglesias, a notable brand since 1928.
Remarkably good quality for the price.
And the Rest …
Duchy Organic Antipasto Misto
Price: £5 for 90g (£5.56/100g)
Rating: ★★★★☆
A delightful trio from Lombardy, offering classic Italian flavors with a hint of sweetness.
Trealy Farm Monmouthshire Sharing Box
Price: £23.50 for 270g (£8.70/100g)
Rating: ★★★★☆
Proving that quality charcuterie can be made in the UK, featuring award-winning products.
M&S Italian Antipasto Selection
Price: £5.50 for 110g (£5/100g)
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A classic trio with well-balanced flavors, though a bit salty.
Tesco Finest Italian Antipasto Platter
Price: £6.95 for 188g (£3.70/100g)
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A generous offering with four styles of meat, each flavorful and well-prepared.
Morrisons The Best Italian Antipasto Selection
Price: £3.50 for 100g (£3.50/100g)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
A straightforward selection—tasty but not standout.
Sainsbury’s Italian Antipasto Selection
Price: £3 for 120g (£2.50/100g)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Good overall texture with classic flavors, but not exceptional.
Co-op Italian-Style Antipasto
Price: £4 for 120g (£3.33/100g)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
A decent low-cost option with a standout flavor from the ventricina.
Asda Exceptional Italian Gran Antipasto
Price: £3.97 for 120g (£3.31/100g)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
A mid-range selection that offers a good balance of flavors.
For a deeper dive into the best (and worst) supermarket smoked salmon, check out the full article. Read more here.