Today, sauces and condiments are more important than ever, adding intrigue, distinction and crave factor while helping diners choose their own flavor adventure one dip or swipe at a time. At The Optimist in Nashville, Tenn., Calabrian colatura joins salsa verde and black truffle ponzu as a sauce pairing for its Crudo, creating a singular, intensely savory seafood bite. In this context, colatura is unexpected, offering a signature take on a classic shareable.

Flavors on the Edge is an ongoing series that explores emerging ingredients poised to become high-impact flavor builders.