Save to Pinterest A festive and colorful platter of fresh vegetables arranged as ornament dippers perfect for holiday gatherings and healthy snacking.
This appetizer has been a hit at my family holiday parties bringing both joy and nutrition to the table
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 1 large red bell pepper 1 large yellow bell pepper 1 large cucumber 2 large carrots 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1 small head broccoli 1 small head cauliflower 1 cup sugar snap peas 8 thin celery stalks
- Garnishes & Ornament Hooks: 8 pretzel sticks or thin breadsticks 3 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped 2 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tbsp poppy seeds 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- Dips: 1 cup hummus 1 cup ranch dressing (or Greek yogurt dip)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
- Step 2:
- Slice bell peppers into thick rounds remove seeds Cut cucumber into thick slices Peel carrots and cut into 12inch rounds.
- Step 3:
- Use a small round cookie cutter (about 2 inches) to cut ornament shapes from the bell peppers cucumber and carrot rounds.
- Step 4:
- Leave cherry tomatoes whole Break broccoli and cauliflower into bitesized florets.
- Step 5:
- Thread each ornamentshaped vegetable onto a pretzel stick or breadstick to act as the hanger For smaller veggies like tomatoes or snap peas skewer them onto the stick.
- Step 6:
- Arrange vegetables on a large platter in clusters resembling a tray of colorful ornaments.
- Step 7:
- Sprinkle parsley sesame seeds poppy seeds and pomegranate seeds over the ornaments for extra color and texture.
- Step 8:
- Serve with hummus and ranch (or yogurt) dip on the side.
Save to Pinterest This recipe brings back warm memories of festive gatherings and shared moments
Required Tools
Sharp knife Cutting board Small round cookie cutter (optional) Large platter Bowls for dip
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (pretzel sticksbreadsticks) substitute with glutenfree options if needed Ranch dressing may contain dairy and egg Hummus contains sesame (tahini) Doublecheck dip ingredients and pretzelbreadstick labels for allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories 85 Total Fat 3 g Carbohydrates 13 g Protein 3 g
Save to Pinterest This easy appetizer adds cheer to any holiday party while keeping things fresh and fun
Recipe FAQs
- → What vegetables work best for ornament shapes?
Bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots are ideal as they can be sliced thickly and cut into shapes easily.
- → How can I make this platter gluten-free?
Use gluten-free breadsticks or pretzel alternatives to keep the platter free from gluten.
- → What dips complement these vegetable dippers?
Hummus, ranch, or Greek yogurt dips provide creamy textures that pair well with the fresh veggies.
- → Can I prepare the veggies ahead of time?
Yes, slice and cut the vegetables a few hours before serving. Keep them refrigerated and assemble just before the event.
- → Are there garnishes to enhance the presentation?
Sprinkling parsley, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and pomegranate seeds adds festive color and texture to the platter.
- → What tools help in shaping the vegetables?
A small round cookie cutter is useful for uniformly shaping bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots into ornaments.