This Edible Christmas Tree Appetizer Is the Perfect Alternative of a Veggie Tray
During the Holidays!
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is entertaining. I love gathering around the table with dear friends to enjoy good wine, yummy appetizers and the magic of Christmas in the air.
When entertaining during the Christmas season, I like to serve appetizers that are easy to make but that look like they took a lot of hard work. A few years back, I made an edible Christmas tree, and it was definitely a crowd pleaser! So when Mezzetta asked me to create and share a holiday recipe using their products, I knew exactly what I would make!
This beautiful and edible display only takes about a half hour to make, but will look like you spent all afternoon getting it just right. And it goes perfectly with an antipasta board. What could be easier?
I wasn’t having a party this week so I made this yummy appetizer to surprise my hard-working husband when he walked through the door. It worked! He felt very special. Our only problem was disassembling it… it was too pretty to eat! But we did dig in and enjoyed it thoroughly.
Here’s how to make the edible Christmas tree appetizer.
Ingredients
1 jar Mezzetta Giardiniera (a tasty combination of pickled vegetables)
1 jar Mezzetta Pitted Kalamata Olives
1 jar Mezzetta Queen Pimento-Stuffed Green Olives
1 jar Mezzetta Grilled Artichoke Hearts
Broccoli florets (I used pre-cut florets found near the packaged salads)
Grape tomatoes
Baby Carrots
Lettuce (Optional)
Salami
cheese
crackers
Dip of your choice
Styrofoam cone (determine the correct size for your party)
Toothpicks
Assembly
Set your cone on the serving tray. As an option, you can use toothpicks to attach lettuce over the entire tree so that the background is green. I did not do that this week (I’m waging battle against perfectionism this holiday season!) Starting at the base of the tree, attach broccoli florets, starting with the larger ones. Continue around and up the tree, adding tomatoes, carrots, olives and Giardiniera to fill in gaps between florets.
For the top of the tree, save the largest round carrot piece in the jar of Giardiniera. Cut it into the shape of a star before adhering to the top of the tree with a final toothpick.
It’s really fun to make this creative appetizer!
Serve with dip (I used jalapeno ranch) and the Mezzetta Grilled Artichokes with remaining Giardiniera veggies, along with the cheese, crackers and salami antipasto board. So pretty! And so FLAVORFUL!
If you have any questions about the Edible Christmas Tree, ask me in the comments section below, and I will get back to you. Happy creating!
xoxo,
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BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you!
Wow…that is very cute!!! I think I will make one to take to our AA Christmas party Friday night….love it!
Thank you!
Amazing. Love the center piece. Super creative. Also, the gift Mezzetta gift basket idea is perfect!
Glad you stopped by, Meggan!
Literally looks so good it made my mouth water! 🙂
Haha! It is good. You should try it!
So creative!! Can’t wait to make this!!!
Thanks, Kim!
Amazingly cool! I’m going to try one of these for Christmas.
Let me know how it turns out!
This looks beautiful and delicious. Have to try it!
Love their Greek olives, peppers, and sun-dried tomato products!
I love it! I can not wait to do this with my family!
Looks so festive, Andrea. Love the idea and can’t wait to try it at my next holiday party!
This post came just in time! I am hosting a party for my husband’s staff this Saturday and plan to make an edible Christmas tree now. Keep those great ideas coming!
Thanks, Gail! Let me know how yours turned out!
Love this idea!! And I have always loved Mezzetta products!
I know! They are SO good!
What a wonderful idea. The picture of the served plate demonstrated how much is appropriate for a serving. I like that too. I always prepare so much more than necessary and then struggle with leftovers of food I should not eat for everyday.
Glad you liked!
What a great holiday idea!! It makes me want an olive!!
Thanks, Sharman! I’ll have another olive with you. 🙂
Thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social. Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST The Midnight Baker ! I hope to see you there!
Judy@ http://www.bakeatmidnite.com
Love it, it’s adorable and delicious…..doesn’t get better than that 🙂
I know what you mean by waging war against perfectionism, Andrea. It’s really a big battle isn’t it?
I love this idea for another reason besides all the yummy ones you shared. It provides height to a buffet and that always makes things more interesting.
Thanks for sharing your appetizers with us a Project Inspire{d}! Hope to see you next week!
Very good point! A little height is always nice on the table 🙂
I can’t wait to make this! So adorable!
I love the new approach for a veggie “tray”. Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays!
That edible Christmas tree is too much!!!! Love it.
I love your edible Christmas tree idea. Where Are Mezzeta products sold ?
Thank you.
You should be able to find them in most US grocery stores!
or you can order from amazon! http://amzn.to/1SW04v1
Very clever. I just love this idea. Merry Christmas. 🙂
I love this how fun for Holiday Party! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on FB! Have a great week!
Kim
This is just darling Andrea!
Whata fun way to have a veggie platter! Love it. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas, Linda
So creative – this looks great and so yummy! Thanks for sharing your crafty inspiration on this week’s Monday Funday Party!