Italian-esque Christmas lunch/grazing style

[myrtleWilson]

Hi
For various reasons a tradtional Christmas Day lunch doesn't work for us (me, DH and DD - early 20s). Last year we had a Chinese feast and this year we're planning an Italian style grazing table so we can eat informally.
I'd love any suggestions as to what to include/discard from the table. This is what I have so far

Breakfast - may make some breakfast buns that Rachel Roddy mentions in one of her books

Lunch table - a mix of hot/cold, starters/mains but not presented in courses

Focaccia
Farinata
mixed antipasto - salami, pecorino, sweet and sour onions, maybe some pate
tagliata
a yet to be determined pasta dish - possibly a ricotta/spinach canneloni
romanesco with chill/garlic
potato and mushroom gratin
something fishy as a nod to traditional Xmas eve dinner -maybe prawns or scallops
caponata
another salad?

Sweet things - plum and amoretti crumble and/or orange & almond cake

I thought about baugna cauda but wasn't sure if you can re-warm the sauce?

Hit me up with thoughts, thanks so much!

Sounds divine

Strictly speaking I don't know if it is Italian, but the kale and grapefruit salad in this link is delicious and simple.

No mention of a burrata? Divine served on a bed of rocket with a basil pesto dressing and some kind of fruit (peaches, blood orange...) Works so well in a spread, sort of a salad too.

Linguine alle Vongole is a dish I always enjoy, but you might not want an additional carb dish for your fish/seafood option.

The celebration salmon from Mezcla looks really good, but not strictly on theme, though wouldn't take much to adapt the herbs. Admittedly I'm not a fan of caponata, I presume your family are though!

Since you are planning a focaccia and pasta dish I would not be to resist an aubergine parmigiana in place of the potato and mushroom gratin. My love of carbs is only outweighed by my love for aubergine.

the spread sounds great though, no real changes needed

Aranchini with a spicy nduja, tomato dip would be good

Crosta and Mollica pizzas are all bloody delicious
Tiramisu
Zabaglione

Don't forget the olives!! Sounds like it'll be a delicious spread, hope you all enjoy it

Panettone is the easiest pudding of all

I have done something similar but with a traditional Xmas day twist. Much of the same dishes, minus a pasta dish, but plus sliced cold turkey crown and a ham cooked the day before. Both can be done with marinades that fit the theme. I've also done a brussel sprout salad that went down well.

Thank you for suggestions - I do like pannetone but I'm a lone voice in the house on that front. We've ditched the crumble option and had a fight off between almond and orange cake or Nigella's venetian carrot cake, on this occassion the former one!

@SummaLuvin I keep changing my mind between a gratin or an aubergine dish, I suspect it will be a last minute decision. I'm late to the caponata party tbh but really enjoyed the caponata-esqu tart that I made on the new recipes thread...

I'd do some roast pork

That's far too much for 3 people.
I'll bring a case of Valpolicella & help you eat it.