Around here, we’re always on the lookout for recipes that require minimal prep and are big on flavor, and this Rosemary Grape Agrodolce Sauce Crostini recipe delivers.
Especially when it comes to cocktail party appetizers. To us, the ultimate cocktail party has a variety of bold bites like these Roasted Sweet Potato Chips With Whipped Goat Cheese, Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Hummus With Toasted Pepitas, Oysters With Pomegranate Granita, or this Rosemary Grape Agrodolce Sauce Crostini recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Agrodolce Sauce Recipe
These bites are a delightful combination of sweet, sour, tart, and salty flavors, thanks to the grape agrodolce paired with the prosciutto. And, if you wanted to make it even more indulgent, you could add a smear of burrata to each crostini. Oh, and though we made them here as small bite-sized crostini, you could also make a large bruschetta, add in some arugula, and make it a light meal.
Recipe Ingredients
These are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this recipe:
For The Crostini:
- French (aka sweet) baguette
- extra-virgin olive oil
For The Agrodolce Sauce:
- currants or raisins
- shallot
- garlic clove
- red grapes
- balsamic vinegar
- honey
- fresh rosemary
- pine nuts
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
For Serving:
- thinly sliced prosciutto
- burrata (optional)
How To Make This Recipe
These are the instructions that you’ll need to follow to make this recipe:
- Bake the Crostini: Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Pour enough olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet to just coat it, then add the baguette slices and toss to coat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake in a single layer until crostini are toasted and crisp, about 15 minutes, turning crostini halfway through.
- Make the Agrodolce Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the golden raisins or currants and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and set aside, letting the dried fruit soften and plump up.
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a small to medium frying pan. Add the shallot and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat, then cook until the shallot is softened, about 5 minutes.
Carefully add the vinegar and honey and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add the grapes and rosemary and stir to coat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and the fruit is softened for about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
Drain the raisins or currants then mix them into the grapes with the toasted pine nuts and fresh rosemary. Taste and adjust the seasoning. - Serve The Crostini: Top the crostini with a curl of prosciutto and/or a smear of burrata then spoon the agrodolce over the top and serve.
What Is Agrodolce Sauce?
Agrodolce (pronounced “ah-grow-dole-chay”) is the name for a sweet-sour sauce that comes from Italy. It’s used in a variety of dishes to bring a lot of flavor in just a few spoonfuls.
The best-known agrodolce recipe is from Sicily and it’s believed that the idea of agrodolce was first introduced to Italy by the Arabs when they conquered Sicily over 1,000 years ago. With time, the recipe spread across the peninsula, and you can now find variations of the recipe throughout Italy.
The base combination is something sweet with something sour and acidic (usual vinegar) and finished with wine and butter, but the specific sweetener and vinegar vary from region to region. The most common vinegar is balsamic but you can also find white or red wine vinegar. Also, some variations include herbs to add another layer of flavor.
How Can You Use Agrodolce Sauce?
You’ll find agrodolce sauce paired with pearl onions or served over grilled meat, as a pasta sauce, as a garnish to a cheese board, or even as a dessert sauce. We particularly like it over seared pork chops, on top of grilled salmon, or with eggplant, making it a variation of caponata.
What To Serve With This
This grape agrodolce sauce is one of those versatile, sweet-tart condiments that can elevate almost anything you pair it with. It’s excellent spooned over roasted or grilled meats—think pork tenderloin, roast chicken, duck breast, or pan-seared steak—because the bright acidity cuts through the richness.
If you’re keeping it plant-forward, try serving this grape agrodolce sauce alongside roasted squash, charred Brussels sprouts, or crispy polenta cakes. For something more unexpected, use it as a topping for grilled sausages or lamb. It’s one of those sauces that instantly adds depth and a little Italian countryside energy to whatever’s on your table.
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Roasted Grape Agrodolce Sauce Crostini Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Crostini:
- 1 French (aka sweet) baguette cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for baking the crostini
For The Agrodolce Sauce:
- 1/4 cup currants or raisins
- 1 medium shallot thinly sliced
- 1 large garlic clove peeled and smashed
- 2 cups red grapes halved
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- kosher salt and Freshly ground black pepper
For Serving:
- thinly sliced prosciutto or burrata for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bake The Crostini: Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Pour enough olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet to just coat it, add the baguette slices and toss to coat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake in a single layer until crostini are toasted and crisp, about 15 minutes, turning crostini halfway through.TIP: The crostini can be baked up to three days ahead. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Make The Agrodolce Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the 1/4 cup water to a boil. Add the golden raisins or currants and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and set aside, letting the dried fruit soften and plump up.Heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a small to medium frying pan. Add the shallot and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat then cook until the shallot is softened, about 5 minutes.Carefully add the vinegar and honey (it may sputter) and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add the grapes and rosemary and stir to coat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and the fruit is softened for about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.Drain the raisins or currants then mix them into the grapes with the toasted pine nuts and fresh rosemary. Taste and adjust the seasoning.TIP: The agrodolce sauce can be made up to two days ahead. Store refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Serve The Crostini: Top the crostini with a curl of prosciutto and/or a smear of burrata then spoon the agrodolce over the top and serve.
