Pin this A festive and colorful platter of fresh vegetables arranged as ornament dippers, perfect for holiday gatherings and healthy snacking.
This platter always brings joy and compliments during our holiday parties.
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 Vegetables:
- Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
- Step 2 Prepare Veggies:
- Slice bell peppers into thick rounds remove seeds Cut cucumber into thick slices Peel carrots and cut into 1/2-inch rounds.
- Step 3 Cut Ornaments:
- Use a small round cookie cutter (about 2 inches) to cut ornament shapes from the bell peppers cucumber and carrot rounds.
- Step 4 Prepare Other Veggies:
- Leave cherry tomatoes whole Break broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
- Step 5 Assemble Ornaments:
- Thread each ornament-shaped 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:
- Arrange vegetables on a large platter in clusters resembling a tray of colorful ornaments.
- Step 7 Garnish:
- Sprinkle parsley sesame seeds poppy seeds and pomegranate seeds over the ornaments for extra color and texture.
- Step 8 Serve:
- Serve with hummus and ranch (or yogurt) dip on the side.
Pin this Making this platter has become a cherished family tradition during the holiday season.
Notes
Try beet hummus or pesto dip for additional color and flavor For extra festivity add edible gold dust or sprigs of dill.
Required Tools
Sharp knife Cutting board Small round cookie cutter (optional) Large platter Bowls for dip
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (pretzel sticks/breadsticks) substitute with gluten-free options if needed Ranch dressing may contain dairy and egg Hummus contains sesame (tahini) Double-check dip ingredients and pretzel/breadstick labels for allergens.
Pin this This colorful platter adds festive cheer to any party and encourages healthy snacking.
Recipe FAQs
- → What vegetables are best for shaped ornament dippers?
Bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, and celery work well for colorful shaped dippers.
- → How do you create the ornament shapes?
Use a small round cookie cutter to cut shapes from bell pepper rings, cucumber slices, and carrot rounds for uniform ornament designs.
- → What can be used as skewers for these vegetable ornaments?
Pretzel sticks or thin breadsticks serve as ideal skewers, adding crunch and ease of handling for the vegetable dippers.
- → Which garnishes add extra flavor and color?
Sprinkling sesame seeds, poppy seeds, pomegranate seeds, and fresh parsley adds appealing texture, flavor, and festive color.
- → What dips pair well with this vegetable platter?
Hummus and ranch dressing or Greek yogurt dips complement the fresh vegetables with creamy, savory flavors.
- → Can this platter accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, using gluten-free breadsticks and opting for dairy-free dips can make it suitable for gluten-free and other dietary needs.