Crostini & Bruschetta 50-Ways: 50 Simple, Creative, and Adaptable Crostini and Bruschetta Recipes

Crostini means “little toasts” in Italian and are made by slicing bread thinly, then toasting and grilling it so it’s crispy. Drizzle with olive oil or salt or serve with your favorite toppings like cheese, shrimp, pâté, or anchovies. Crostini are thought to have started during the Medieval Ages when impoverished Italian peasants used bread as utensils rather than plates. Because the bread was frequently stale, it needed to be soaked in a liquid, like wine, to make it edible. Nowadays, crostini can be topped with almost anything, and can also be served as snacks, appetizers, or in soups.
*Bruschetta, from the Italian word “bruscare” meaning “to roast over coals” is made by toasting whole, wide slices of rustic Italian or sourdough-type bread and topping them with olive oil and salt. Variations may include toppings of tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat, or cheese.
If crostini and bruschetta are your favorite appetizers, just wait until you try these recipes! *