You’ve heard of aperitivo, but what is an Italian apericena? Is it the same thing as an aperitivo? The word “apericena” comes from the Latin phrase “aperire cenam,” which means “opening dinner.”
In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about Italian apericena and show you how to host your own.
What Is Apericena?
Apericena is an informal meal that is usually served before dinner in Italy. The word “aperitivo” refers to the beverage that you drink with the meal, while “apericena” refers to the food that accompanies it. Many people consider an apericena to be similar to an appetizer spread or tapas-style dishes. It’s served at home or in restaurants and bars, where customers may order small plates or snacks along with their drink.
What Do You Drink At Apericena?
Apericena is typically held between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., so guests can still enjoy a glass of wine or two without worrying about driving home afterward (or feeling too tired). The most common drinks are white wine or beer, although some people prefer cocktails or even champagne! If you’re hosting an event at your home, feel free to offer whatever drink options appeal most to your guests—just make sure that there’s enough variety so everyone gets what they want!
If you’re looking for a wine to serve with this meal, we recommend reds from Italy and France—especially those from regions like Tuscany or Provence.
Drink recommendations
-Aperol Spritz: A classic cocktail from Italy that’s easy to make, but tastes better when made with fresh ingredients.
-Prosecco: A slightly sparkling wine that goes well with almost any dish.
-Sangria: A refreshing blend of fruit juice, wine, and brandy. Perfect for summertime.
What do you eat at Apericena
You can make an apericena as simple as grabbing some olives, cheese, prosciutto, and crackers from your kitchen and serving them on platters for people to help themselves. Or you can get fancy with it: make crostini (little slices of bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt), antipasti (cold appetizers), bruschetta (toasted bread topped with oil), and even pasta salad!
The best part about having an apericena is that it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can buy ingredients from the grocery store or take advantage of what you already have in your pantry
Food recommendations
-Bruschetta: Toast with olive oil and garlic rubbed on top; add tomatoes and basil for extra flavor!
-Focaccia bread: This Italian bread has lots of toppings on top—try olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper; maybe even cheese if you don’t have a heavy dinner planned afterwards
-Crostini (toasted baguette slices topped with cheese or meat)
-Panzanella (tomato-and-bread salad)
-Caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad)
The core of Apericena
It’s a great time to catch up with friends, have fun with your family, or just hang out and relax on your own after work. You can also use it as an opportunity to try new recipes or experiment with flavors in a way that won’t break the bank. Apericenas are all about making something delicious without having to worry too much about presentation—as long as it looks good and tastes great, who cares if it isn’t picture-perfect?
