"Aperitivo is not only the ritual of enjoying a drink after work, the drinks stimulate your appetite. The best aperitivo food pairing is something small, slightly fatty or spicy which pairs well with a nice sparkling, crisp wine or a refreshing cocktail," says Rob Gentile, executive chef at Buca restaurants in Toronto.
"The drink cleanses the palate, the food makes you want to sip more on that sparkling and so on. It's the perfect combo. For the summer, I can't think of a better aperitivo pairing than lightly fried zucchini blossoms. This summer's zucchini blossom dish, with seasonal ingredients, has the perfect balance of spice, freshness and a bit of fattiness required to perfectly pair with an afternoon cocktail before heading out for a meal."