Italian food is one of the most significant cooking staples in the world. There’s a reason that it has become so popular; Italian dishes are generally easy to make, and the end result tastes fantastic! One such dish that has received the same acclaim is a caprese. It isn’t a dish that comes to mind right away when you think of Italian food, but it’s deliciousness and critical acclaim is too good to be ignored. Read on to learn more about this staple of Italian cuisine!

What Is Caprese?

Caprese is very different from other Italian dishes. You probably wouldn’t think of salad when you think of Italian food, but that’s exactly what a caprese is! It combines a lot of traditional Italian ingredients to make up the salad, including tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. The dressing is typically either balsamic vinaigrette or olive oil. If you’ve ever seen a picture of caprese, you’ll know that the dish includes the three colors of the Italian flag: red, white and green!

Origins of Caprese

Caprese actually gets its name from its place of origin, an island off the coast of Italy named Capri. However, that’s about all that we can confirm as true facts about the origins. Several legends have been told about the first caprese: one said that it first appeared on a menu at an Italian hotel after World War I. Another says that the original creator had the Italian colors in mind when creating the dish, and he wanted to make a dish that was an accurate tribute to Italy. Over time, this dish became a staple of Capri culture and spread to other parts of the world, including right here in the United States.

Health Benefits of Caprese

Caprese is actually one of the healthiest Italian dishes that you can have! Tomatoes are a great source of daily vitamins and minerals, and basil is rich in antioxidants and essential oils. The mozzarella in this dish can even provide you with some nutritional benefits; they actually contain a lot of calcium! If you’re looking to eat healthy or maybe shed a few pounds for the summer, a caprese is an ideal choice.

Caprese At Bricco Salumeria

At Bricco Salumeria and Pasta shop, we pride ourselves on bringing the authentic Italian experience right to the streets of Boston’s North End. We can cater to groups of any size, as our platters are perfect for large gatherings! We serve caprese as a part of our platter menu, so you’ll be able to have them at your next gathering. To take advantage of all that Bricco Salumeria has to offer, contact us today or order online from DoorDash, Uber Eats or Postmates!