Pinzimonio

Pinzimonio comes from pinzare, “to pinch”. It is a plate of vegetables with a small bowl of excellent olive oil mixed with lots of salt and an equal quantity of freshly ground black pepper. You pinch a vegetable from the platter and dip it in the oil. On the platter you will find whatever is in season: in spring, tiny raw baby artichokes and the first green onions, blanched with asparagus and cooked new potatoes. In summer you’ll find, raw radishes, carrots, sliced peppers, fennel, cucumber, and blanched green beans.

Pinzimonio is made to accompany conversation- just a little pinch here and a little pinch there while you talk.