“Food is Memories”

This is not your traditional Italian Antipasto, this is my grandmothers version. Even though she was from Italy she wasn’t the traditional grandmother . She was more of a contemporary cook, she was ahead of her time. I have such fond memories of all her cooking. She didn’t cook often but when she did, it was amazing. I always looked forward to the holidays because I knew my grandmother or mom would make this Antipasto. So now I make it for my family and of course I always think about my grandmother while making it.

Ingredients

• 6 peppers, I use different colors to make it look festive
• 3 garlic cloves, more if you like garlic
• white vinegar
• green and black olives
• artichoke hearts marinated
• anchovies ( optional)
• Italian ham
• seasoning

Put a large pot of water on, while water is boiling clean and cut peppers very thin in continuous strands . merge into boiling water for exactly 3 minutes. drain and put cold water on them to cool them down so they don’t continue to cook. In a large bowl with a lid put 3 whole cloves of garlic and vinegar and peppers . Put in refrigerator for a couple of days, I usually do 3 days before I eat them. I also shake the bowl every day.

The day I prepare them, I use a big dish, I make a circle around the edges of the dish with peppers . In the middle I put green and black olives. Than on top I place the Italian ham, marinated artichoke hearts and anchovies.