Kick off the holidays with a festive Italian Antipasto Wreath Charcuterie Skewers appetizer! It’s an easy, make-ahead low carb grazing platter that doubles as a Christmas holiday table decoration. 2 for 1 - You got to love that!
If you can open a jar, you literally have all the skills needed to assemble this Italian platter together. Last minute guests are no problem because this starter uses pantry jarred ingredients, Italian cold cuts, and cheeses to spread a little holiday cheer. No cooking or baking required!
Pour yourself and glass of wine or a Blood Orange Ginger Spritz and let’s get this party started.
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Ingredients
If you have ever made a cheese board, you know that the only limitation of what you can add is your imagination. These are just some things we had in the pantry or sounded good to us. Explore your pantry and/ or the pickle or deli section of your grocery store and pick your favorites. Here are some starter ideas…
Short skewers or long toothpicks to make Charcuterie sticks like we did with our Caprese Salad on a stick. Our bamboo skewers were 4.7 inches in length or up to 6 inches would work fine.
Olives – pitted Castelvetrano are buttery and kalamata olives are briny but pick ones you enjoy or an olive medley. If you have any olives left over, your can try our Vegan Olive Tapenade recipe.
Artichoke Hearts – marinated or you can marinate your own with the quick and easy dressing we are gong to share with you today.
Pepperoncini – if you like something slightly spicy.
Sweet Cherry Peppers – if you like something a little sweet.
Fresh Baby Mozzarella Balls (also called bocconcini or Ciliegine) or Cheese Cubes of Choice. We marinated the fresh mozzarella with an easy balsamic and EVOO dressing.
Fresh Mini Sweet Bell peppers and cherry Tomatoes or any fresh vegetables you desire like cucumbers, radish, etc. It adds that nice crunch.
Soppressata and Prosciutto or any Italian cold cuts you desire like salami, Pepperoni, Coppa and the list goes on.
Fresh Rosemary sprigs or fresh green herbs that make the antipasto wreath look just like a Christmas wreath.
Other Ideas - Marinate mushrooms, roasted peppers, pickled onions and more.
How to Assemble
- If you decide to use fresh baby mozzarella balls, also called bocconcini, marinate with a little balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.
- Open jars of pickles, cold cuts and chop up any fresh vegetable you plan to put on the antipasto skewers and place them easily within reach. Thread all the special ingredients on the wooden skewers.
- Choose a round platter to display your antipasto wreath. Place your assembled Charcuterie Skewers around the exterior edge of your round platter and leave space in the middle to make a wreath shape pattern.
- Add the rosemary sprigs in between the sticks of antipasto. Artfully stack the rest of the skewers on the plate. It is like you are doing a craft. We are not very crafty so you will probably do better than us. (smiling)
- Cover and place the holiday appetizer in the refrigerator until your guests arrive.
How to Display
The Christmas antipasto wreath is beautiful on a large white flat platter or plate so you can see clearly all the delicious meat, cheese, bright pickled vegetables on the skewered appetizers. However, you can also display this rosemary wreath on a large cutting board or wooden chopping board too. Use what you have on hand. Alternatively, an elevated cake tray, or disposable oversized aluminum round tray also work fine.
If you are feeling a bit tired this holiday, you can forgo the skewers and just creatively lay the ingredients in a round circle to shape a wreath. There are not hard rules and rules are meant to be broken. Have fun with this Christmas antipasto platter.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Pick and choose the ingredients that you like the most. Maybe you use some of the ingredients we described and maybe some of your own ideas as well.
- Try adding a little cooked and marinated cheese tortellini pasta and fresh basil on your appetizer skewers. If you don’t use up all the tortellini, add the leftovers to an Instant Pot Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup.
- If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, skip the Italian cured meats, and add more cheese, pickles, and vegetables instead.
- On the other hand, if you want to make this Antipasto Wreath vegan, hold all the cold cuts, and use vegan cheese. Try stuffing vegan cream cheese in mini peppers and marinate canned mushrooms.
- Serve your Antipasto Wreath Charcuterie Skewers as part of a “Bloody Mary Bar”. How fun would that be!
- Drizzle on a little of the Italian marinade or extra virgin olive oil on the skewers right before serving.
What to Serve on the side?
Serve the antipasto wreath appetizer with toasted rustic Italian bread, crackers, Healthy Ricotta Crostini or breadsticks on the side. Also, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and fresh cracked pepper is nice upon serving.
Stove Top Rosemary Party Nuts is a delicious low carb and gluten free option to go with the charcuterie sticks and can be made in advance.
Can Antipasti be a Main Course?
Yes, absolutely! Antipasti is the plural of antipasto - more than one appetizer. Serve several different Italian Christmas Appetizer recipes with your holiday antipasto wreath. Appetizers for dinner is a very fun hosting idea.
Dazzle your guests with Mom’s Best Italian Stuffed Artichokes or hot out of the oven Savory Baked Brie in Puff Pastry. You might even want to try our gluten free and Dairy-Free Bolognese Polenta Bites.
Italian Meal Plan
Have you ever eaten a Sunday dinner with Italian friends or dined at an Italian restaurant? If so, you may be familiar with the different parts of an Italian meal. If you want to host a dinner party that no one will ever forget, try this menu.
Aperitivo is a pre-meal drink. Try a Campari or Aperol Spritz.
Antipasto (singular form) is the delicious Antipasto Wreath Charcuterie Skewers appetizer.
Primi (first course) – Timpano Italian Pasta Dome
Secondi – (second Course) – Mediterranean Red Snapper Packets
Dolci (dessert) – Rich and Creamy Tiramisu, gelato or a healthy sorbet.
Digestivi & Caffè – (drink to settle the stomach after a big meal and helps with digesting) After dinner drinks like amari, grappa, limoncello, Sambuca and more are served after dessert. Espresso coffee is often served after a large meal.
Storage
- Please do not leave your antipasto platter wreath out of the refrigerator for over 4 hours.
- Marinated fresh mozzarella balls that have not been submerged in olive oil do not last more than 24 hours.
- However, the pickles and deli meats can be taken off the stick and consumed within 4 days if covered and in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Bite sized appetizers that are served before the start of a formal Italian meal. The purpose of antipasto is to whet the appetite. Typical ingredients are cured meats, cheese, olives, pickles, vegetables all served on a platter so that guests can help themselves.
Antipasto is “one plate” of small appetizers. Antipasti are “more than one plate” of appetizers.
Generally, cured Italian meats like salami, pepperoni, coppa, Soppressata, Prosciutto, speck, lardo and more are delicious served on an antipasto platter.
You can assemble the holiday antipasto wreath the day before but please cover well with plastic wrap. Just before serving, drizzle on a little extra virgin olive oil and Italian seasoning. Fresh mozzarella balls only last about 24 hours once they are opened. However, most all other items are good for at least 4 days.
Christmas Appetizers
Feta Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
Roasted Sweet Mini Peppers on crusty bread
Spanish Meatballs with Pepper and Tomato Wine Sauce
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Antipasto Wreath Charcuterie Skewers
Equipment
- 30 wooden skewers 6 inch or long toothpicks
Ingredients
Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella ciliegine baby mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin + extra to garnish before serving
- 1.5 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried ground
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder dried ground
- salt and pepper to taste
Antipasto Wreath
- 8 ounces marinated fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine balls recipe above
- 10 ounces olives pitted (Italian Castelvetrano Whole Green )
- 10 ounces tomatoes small grape or cherry tomatoes
- 16 ounces pepperoncini whole
- 13 ounces marinated artichoke hearts
- 16 ounces sweet cherry peppers
- 8 ounces mini sweet bell peppers Seeds removed and but in half
- 14 ounces Sopressata thin sliced
- 4 ounces prosciutto
- 10 ounces fresh rosemary sprigs 2 packages
Instructions
Marinate Fresh Mozzarella Ciliegine (Balls)
- Place fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls in a bowl, Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Open jars of olives, pepperoncini, marinated artichoke hearts, sweet cherry peppers or any pickles that you enjoy. Set out slices of Sopressata and prosciutto or any Italian cold cuts you enjoy. Wash tomatoes and chop up any fresh vegetables like mini sweet bell peppers. Place all ingredients near your reach.
- Thread all the special antipasto ingredients on the wooden skewers with alternating colors and textures as desired.
- Choose a platter. plate or wooden chopping board to display your antipasto wreath. Place your assembled Charcuterie Skewers around the exterior edge of your round platter and leave space in the middle to make a wreath shape pattern.
- Add the rosemary sprigs in between the sticks of antipasto. Artfully stack the rest of the skewers on the plate.
- Cover and place the holiday appetizer in the refrigerator until your guests arrive - up to 24 hours.
- Drizzle charcuterie skewers with a little extra virgin olive oil before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Please do not leave your antipasto platter wreath out of the refrigerator for over 4 hours.
- Marinated fresh mozzarella balls that have not been submerged in olive oil do not last more than 24 hours.
- However, the pickles and deli meats can be consumed within 4 days if covered and stored in the refrigerator.
Purely.. Kay says
You did such a wonderful job wih that platter. I know I would love to have that all to myself lol.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Kay. A glass or 2 of nice red wine to go with this antipasto platter would be really nice.
yummychunklet says
Looks delicious! I can't even imagine having teenagers around to eat everything in sight. Ha!
Healthy World Cuisine says
I have learned that if I do not label something as "DO NOT EAT" it will vanish. The saga continues....
promenadeplantings says
I remember my mum saying that when I left home her cheese bill went down massively, you described th eteenage circling around the kitchen looking for titbits so perfectly. You took me right back!
And the platter, so so tempting and beautiful.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Cheese Bill! LOL Hungry teenagers are like ravished dogs! Our grocery bill is crazy. I hope his growth spurt slows down soon. Take care, BAM
Healthy World Cuisine says
I have 2 Hoover's here at home. I swear they can get up and just walk around the table and then say. "Mom, I'm hungry again." Take Care, BAM
cravesadventure says
Looks delicious:) I have 3 nephews who are all teenagers now and they are like vaccums just suck it down, inhale and start all over again - ha! I give them food gift certificates and they love it!
Courtney says
I am not looking forward to that with my boys - I'm not sure I'd be able to keep up (especially with 12 inches in a year!! Wow!) It looks like quite a spready, though. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Keep your kids of the cooking and baking with you and then you can enjoy them in their teenage years. Just one little change- make double of everything- or triple.
kitchenriffs says
Love the top photo. And I remember those hungry years! I used to eat an amazing amount of food, and remain soooo skinny. Now? I walk through the bakery department of my supermarket, inhale twice, and gain a pound. Anyway, I love antipasto - and your platter looks terrific. The Roasted Pepper Sauce looks wonderful. Fun post - thanks.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Now you are making me laugh. I guess we should try not to breath too deeply down the bakery and cake isles. The roasted red pepper sauce is so easy and freezes easily so that you can just whip that out later when you have last minute guests or a pack of hungry wolves to feed. Take Care, BAM
Kathleen Richardson says
Having raised a hollow-legged teen (now 39), I remember those days. Pizza Hut hated to see him and his 6-foot-plus friends coming. BAM, wish you'd give us a photo of the boys... if you don't want their faces seen on the internet, you could come up with some inventive way to cover/disguise their faces. Aren't you the clever one, figuring out that you need to stash some portion of the food for yourself before the teen-attack! Love this recipe and the photos.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Kathleen. I swear I am going to have to go out and get a 2nd or maybe 3rd job just to feed these hungry boys. What is even scarier is when they come home after school with a group of their 6 foot plus hungry friends. Now I love the kids and I am not complaining one bit, just give mom a little heads up before you show up with the football team. Take Care, BAM
zestybeandog says
This looks great! I cannot believe your boy grew 12 inches in a year, that's incredible!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Jen, Isn't that crazy? 12 inches in a year and he is still growing. His poor knees are really bothering him as his bones have grown but his tendons have not caught up. Needless to say he towers way over mom.
gardenfreshtomatoes says
At 28, my stepson STILL does the Staring Into Cabinets thing when he visits...
I don't think it ever stops - I sometimes catch his father doing it!
Those two would plow through a lovely platter like that, and be out grilling steaks an hour later!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Marie, that is exactly what I was doing grilling steaks just an hour later. You have read the mind of a teenage boy. I have so many picture of my teenager just hanging his arms above the refrigerator looking inside hoping that something will magically appear.
Tandy says
boys can devour HUGE amounts of food - I once went through 48 bread rolls in once day for 4 teenagers 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
LOL only 12 rolls a piece? They were just taking it easy on you. They probably went home and ate another snack... BOYS! Take care, BAM
thecompletecookbook says
I think half of your boys' eating is due to growing and the other half is because of your delicious food.
🙂 Mandy
Healthy World Cuisine says
How sweet, thank you Mandy! Take Care, BAM
ChgoJohn says
What a great, smile-inducing post, BAM! I think you speak for Moms everywhere. I sometimes prepare a large baking dish -- lasagna, ravioli, pasta -- for the Boys Upstairs. Their Mom will later tell me that she was lucky to get a taste! This appetizer tray you've prepared looks delicious and I bet it didn't last more than 5 minutes. 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks John, I am glad it brought a little humor to your day. Just so that you know the platter lasted for about 3 minutes tops! Take care, BAM
Choc Chip Uru says
What a wonderful post my friend! My brother is so tall I swear he hits the ceiling sometimes - believe me when I say I understand how much teen boys can eat 😛
This platter is too classy! I think many people really would be able to polish it off 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear CCU, I am sure your brother loves you and your baking. My goodness what is not to love about a sis that cooks with chocolate. I am sure he brings over all his hungry teenage friends to be QA analysts of your baking.... Take Care, BAM
Just A Smidgen says
Oh, Bam... I had to smile the minute I saw your title today! As you know, with teenagers that's so true.. I hadn't thought to serve myself first, but I will be starting that habit right away. If your teenagers are like mine, they are surprisingly appreciative of gourmet food! They must have just devoured this platter! What a treat that would be!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Smidge, that is why you are so skinny. You forget to serve yourself first. Take care, BAM