By To Your Health and Mark Hubbard
Charcuterie on a Stick!
Eating delicious food is often the focus at new year celebrations … what else are you going to do from 8 until midnight? Here is an app that is always a big hit AND it can be as healthy as you want it to be, requires NO cooking, is fun to make, fun to eat and easy to transport. Let your imagination run wild with the endless possibilities of ingredients.
Charcuterie Board Skewers
12 servings — Double or triple the recipe for large parties
Ingredients
- 12 wooden skewers – 6 or 8-inch works well (available online)
- 12 marinated mini mozzarella balls
- I 8 oz jar roasted red pepper (or homemade) cut into 1×1” squares
- 12 pitted kalamata olives
- 12 half rounds of English cucumber (no need to peel it)
- 12 slices salami (thin cut)
- 24 fresh basil leaves
- 12 bite-size pieces artichoke hearts (from a jar/can be in oil or water)
- 12 cherry tomatoes cut in 1/2
- 12 pepperoncini
- Balsamic glaze
- Either purchase glaze or make your own by reducing balsamic vinegar in a saucepan on low-medium heat until it thickens
Instructions
- Thread the ingredients onto a 6 or 8 inch wooden skewers
- When assembling:
- Put ingredients that taste great together next to one another, for the perfect bite.
- Maybe basil leaf next to the mozzarella ball – salami next to the pepperocini
- Also consider putting complementary colored items next to one another
- Think red items next to green items for the holidays
- Arrange the skewers on a platter and refrigerate until ready to serve
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the skewers just before serving
Nutrition
Per Skewer
Calories: ~123 / Fat: ~9.7g / Carbs: ~2.8g / Fiber: ~1.5 / Protein: ~5.9g
Here are some ideas for additional ingredients or substitutions:
Vegetables
- Zucchini ribbons (raw or lightly grilled)
- Roasted mushrooms (small creminis cut in half)
- Pickled red onions
- Marinated or raw mini bell peppers
- Hearts of palm slices
- Asparagus tips (blanched)
Protein swaps
- Turkey pepperoni (leaner option)
- Grilled shrimp (if you want a luxe option)
- Lobster tail pieces (if you want to go all out)
- Mini chicken meatballs (Italian-seasoned)
- Prosciutto ribbons (for a splurge)
- Crispy bacon (cut into squares) … it’s a splurge, but in small amounts, that’s OK
Additional cheeses
- Marinated feta cubes
- Sharp provolone cubes
- Goat cheese balls – optional: roll in chopped nuts (chill before skewering)
Fruits (that complement savory items)
- Seedless grapes (cut in half)
- Fresh figs (halved or quartered) goes well with blue or other sharp cheese
- Cantaloupe balls (pair well with salami or prosciutto)
- Pineapple chunks (great with spicy ingredients)
Add-ins for a flavor pop
- Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or dry) use just a small slice or 2
- Cornichons (tiny pickles)
- Castelvetrano olives, pitted (buttery + mild)
- Stuffed mini peppers (goat cheese or herbed ricotta)
- Fresh chives or thyme – sprinkle over the top just before serving
Linda Hubbard is an RN, Nutrition Specialist & Founder of To Your Health, a national nutrition and wellness coaching firm based in Wallingford, CT.
Mark Hubbard is a writer and editor with years of experience in the health and science sectors. He specializes in distilling complex topics into understandable, engaging text.