Crostini (meaning "little crusts" in Italian; singular crostino) are an Italian appetiser consisting of small slices of grilled or toasted bread and toppings. The toppings may include a variety of different cheeses, meats, and vegetables, or may be presented more simply with a brush of olive oil and herbs or a sauce. Along with bruschetta, crostini are thought to originate in medieval times when it was typical for Italian peasants to eat their meals on slices of bread instead of using ceramics. Originated from Italy, crostini is part of hors d'oeuvre – an appetizer or starter that is a small dish served before a meal. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot. They may be served at the dinner table as a part of the meal, or before seating. Formerly, hors d'oeuvres were also served between courses. Typically smaller than a main dish, it is often designed to be eaten by hand (with minimal use of cutlery). Hors d'oeuvre in French means "outside the work" – that is, "not part of the ordinary set of courses in a meal".