Crostini with mortadella and cheese
Crostini with mortadella and cheese is a classic Italian antipasto, featuring thin slices of toasted bread (crostini) topped with savory mortadella—a finely ground, emulsified pork sausage studded with pistachios or olives—and a creamy cheese like mozzarella or provolone. It originates from central Italy, particularly regions like Lazio and Emilia-Romagna, where it's a popular appetizer or snack.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is moderately high in fat and protein due to the mortadella and cheese, with carbs coming from the bread base. It provides key nutrients like iron, B vitamins from the meat, and calcium from the cheese, with a rough calorie estimate of 250-350 per serving depending on portion sizes.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 120 mg |
| Potassium | 210 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Zinc | 2.2 mg |
| Selenium | 14 mcg |
| Vitamin A | 85 mcg |
Per 2 pieces (approx. 120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, mortadella is a UNESCO-recognized part of Italian culinary heritage, often called the 'original bologna' but far more artisanal. Nutritionally, it's a balanced bite that combines protein for satiety with healthy fats from pistachios, making it a flavorful yet satisfying starter.
