What better way to warm up the winter than sharing aperitivo moments with friends or family? But all too often, between alcohol and indulgent bites, aperitivo can quickly become rather heavy, especially when a hearty meal follows. Here are 4 healthy winter aperitivo ideas (beetroot crisps, tuna lettuce wraps, mini bulgur and vegetable fritters, and smoked salmon rolls), plus a few alcohol-free drinks, to enjoy while keeping things light.
Recipe no. 1 for a healthy aperitivo: beetroot crisps
Crisps are a must-have at any aperitivo… but they’re very greasy, as they’re fried. The idea here is to lighten them up while making the most of a winter ingredient: beetroot. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 raw beetroots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- A handful of sesame seeds
- A pinch of salt
Preparation is incredibly simple:
- peel the beetroots and slice them thinly using a mandoline;
- lay them flat on a large plate lined with kitchen paper, making sure they don’t overlap;
- brush them lightly with olive oil and season with salt;
- microwave them for approximately 3 rounds of 2 minutes, to ensure they are fully dehydrated;
- sprinkle with a little sesame and enjoy!
Recipe no. 2: tuna lettuce wraps
Spring rolls and brik pastries are undeniably delicious, but they’re fried and therefore high in saturated fats. For a similar idea, here’s a fresh salad-based alternative. For 4 people, you’ll need:
- 1 large tin of tuna in spring water
- 1 spring onion
- 2 carrots
- 1 lettuce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- for the sauce: 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, a little finely chopped fresh ginger
Preparation requires minimal effort:
- mix all the sauce ingredients together and set aside;
- in a bowl, combine the drained tuna with the olive oil and finely sliced spring onion;
- peel the carrots and cut them into thin sticks;
- wash the lettuce, dry it and set aside the nicest leaves;
- fill each leaf with tuna and carrot sticks;
- roll up the filled lettuce leaves and secure them with cocktail sticks;
- serve with the sauce.
Top tip: we use carrots, but you can also use cucumber, red cabbage or any other fresh vegetable you like.
Recipe no. 3: mini bulgur and vegetable fritters
Here’s another recipe for a healthy aperitivo that vegetarians and vegans will love! Full of flavour, it’s perfect for a wholesome and indulgent aperitivo dinner! To make 12 fritters, you’ll need:
- 80 g bulgur wheat
- 2 carrots
- 1 small courgette
- 2 eggs
- 50 g wholemeal flour
- Spices of your choice, such as cumin, turmeric, curry, paprika…
- 50 g feta
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
To prepare the aperitivo fritters:
- cook the bulgur in salted water according to the recommended time, then drain and leave to cool;
- wash the courgette, peel the carrots and grate the vegetables;
- place them in a colander and press firmly to remove as much water as possible;
- in a mixing bowl, combine the bulgur, spices, flour and vegetables, then add the crumbled feta, a little salt and pepper, and the beaten eggs;
- heat olive oil in a frying pan and drop small spoonfuls of the mixture to form little fritters;
- cook for 3 minutes on each side until nicely golden;
- serve as they are or with a light fromage blanc and fresh herb dip.
Recipe no. 4: smoked salmon rolls
A healthy aperitivo classic that should never be overlooked! Fresh, light and wonderfully elegant, it’s always a crowd-pleaser! To prepare it, you’ll need:
- 4 wholegrain wraps or corn tortillas, depending on your preference
- 100 g cream cheese such as St Môret
- A pinch of Espelette pepper
- 4 slices of smoked salmon or smoked trout
- A few rocket leaves
Preparation is quick and easy:
- in a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the Espelette pepper;
- take a wrap and spread the cheese mixture over the entire surface;
- lay the smoked fish on top, then add a few rocket leaves;
- roll the wrap into a tight log and cut it into rounds, which you can secure with wooden cocktail sticks;
- repeat with the three remaining wraps.
What to drink with a light winter aperitivo?
These 4 recipes pair beautifully with healthy drinks. For a lighter aperitivo, why not go for alcohol-free cocktails? Mocktails, or virgin cocktails, are just as delicious as the originals, just without the alcohol. Vegetable juices are also a great alternative for making the most of your winter aperitivo.
A light aperitivo before a hearty winter meal
When drinks and nibbles come before a festive dinner or a filling winter dish, it’s best to keep the snacks simple and vegetable-based. Beetroot crisps and tuna lettuce wraps work particularly well: they bring crunch and freshness. The mini bulgur and vegetable fritters are more substantial, so they’re better suited to an aperitivo dinner.
As for quantities, plan on a few bites per person rather than a big spread, and opt for mocktails or vegetable juices. That way, the meal that follows stays the highlight.
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