Christmas Tree Charcuterie

Any time of year is a perfect time for a variety of snacks, but this Christmas Tree Charcuterie is a perfect presentation for meats, cheese, fruits, olives, and vegetables during the holiday season. It’s so very easy, and it’s sure to impress when you share with a group of friends or family!

Just like my Simple Charcuterie Board, this Christmas Tree Charcuterie can have these tasty snacks:

• salami, proscuitto, and thin-sliced turkey
• pickles, olives, and cherry peppers
• grapes, berries, and a variety of sliced fruit
• crackers
• cheese slices, some wrapped in Italian meats
• vegetables
• bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese (yes, please!)
• nuts

Plus other decorative side dishes can include:

• five bean salad
• Italian bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping
• dill dip
• a brownie and candy platter

Make Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie Star Studded

If you have access to a small star cookie cutter, use it on pre-sliced cheese (muenster and provolone work great, among other favorites) to add a Christmassy flair. Sprigs of fresh rosemary or Italian parsley serve as filler to add to the illusion of a Christmas Tree. This is really fun to put together on a large board and could even be done on a small board – or two or three to make a little forest of themed snack trees!

 

Christmas is always a time of having special gatherings with those most special in our hearts. A charcuterie board can be made up with some pre-planning for some specific groceries and a moment gazing into a well-stocked pantry. Many of these appetizer items can be stocked ahead of time: olives, pretzels, crackers, pickles, nuts. Perishable items such as fruit, bread, meats, cheese, and vegetables are added to your grocery list the week you plan to share this festive treat.

You may think this is difficult to put together, but it’s truly as simple as lining up the food items in successive rows getting smaller from bottom to top. The addition of some greenery really adds visual interest. This will be a Pinterest Win for you this season!