Crostini Vs Bruschetta: What's The Difference?
When it comes to fun finger foods, one of the best styles of appetizer involves a little piece of toasted bread and a plethora of different topping options. Whether you want something fish-forward like lox and crème fraîche on pumpernickel toast or a bite of vegetable-laden goodness such as a pea and lentil spread sat atop a crusty sourdough, there are plenty of ways to prepare canapés.
Two of the most boasted toasts are crostini and bruschetta, which share quite a few similarities. Whereas a classic bruschetta recipe specifically includes olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and salt, the definitions of a crostini are considerably looser. Despite sharing several characteristics, the distinct differences between crostini and bruschetta include the style and thickness of the bread slices used as well as the choice of toppings. Both can be served as appetizers with variations on the methods of preparation. Much like squares and rectangles, all bruschettas are crostinis, though not all crostinis are bruschettas. Nonetheless, both are certainly worthy of a spot on your plate.
A toasty showdown
Making the ultimate bruschetta starts with the basic elements of country Italian bread, tomatoes, and seasonings. You'll want to choose a bread that crusts well when grilled or toasted and slice it thick. Opt for the freshest tomatoes available, taking care that they both look and smell ripe. To keep your topping from being too watery, deseed and remove the excess tomato liquid first. Cut your garlic in half to expose the allicin and rub this on your toasted bread before adding a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and your fresh tomato topping. Other variations can include balsamic vinegar, complementary fresh herbs, and more, but this is the most basic version of bruschetta.
Meaning "little crust" in Italian, crostini typically errs on the thinner and crispier side. In addition to this distinction from bruschetta, another difference is that crostini doesn't necessarily need to be topped with tomatoes. For example, you can make a delightful celebration of spring crostini recipe using toasted slices of a baguette topped with a mixture of cheeses, peas, and asparagus. One recipe that does use tomatoes in addition to other lush toppings is a pomegranate halloumi crostini, which puts cheese, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds center stage atop a sliced and toasted baguette. However you make them, these appetizers will be the toast of your next gathering.