crostini

{{Short description|Italian appetizer}}

{{Infobox food

| name = Crostini

| image = Crostini by Charles Haynes.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Cheese and spinach crostini

| alternate_name = Crostino (Italian singular form)

| country = Italy

| region =

| creator =

| course = Antipasto

| type =

| served =

| main_ingredient = Bread, topping

| variations =

}}

Crostini ({{literally|little crusts}}; {{singular}}: crostino) are an Italian appetizer (antipasto) consisting of small slices of grilled or toasted bread{{cite web| url= https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/victors-parmesan-and-olive-oil-crostino-231338| title= Victor's Parmesan and Olive Oil Crostino| first= Marcella| last= Hazan| website= epicurious.com| access-date= November 5, 2020}} and toppings.{{cite web| url= https://www.tasteatlas.com/crostini| title= Crostini | website= tasteatlas.com| publisher= AtlasMedia Ltd.| access-date= November 5, 2020}} The toppings may include a variety of different cheeses, meats, vegetables, and condiments, or may be presented more simply with a brush of olive oil and herbs or a sauce.

Along with bruschetta, crostini are thought to originate in medieval times, when it was typical for peasants to eat their meals on slices of bread instead of using ceramics.{{cite book| last1= Castagno| first1= Dario |last2= Rodi| first2= Robert| title= Too Much Tuscan Sun: Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide| publisher= Globe Pequot Press| year= 2004| page= 224}}