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.
Jump to:
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
Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.
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.
Sandra Shaffer says
I'm planning a dinner party this week, but just for four. I'm going to try to make a mini wreath - fingers crossed.
HWC Magazine says
How fun Sandra! You can certainly make a mini wreath and just cut down on the amount of each item. You are so creative, I bet yours will be gorgeous!
Michelle says
Wow, great way to feed a crowd, or my hubby for that matter! 😉 Really love the idea of having them all on skewers too. Brilliant!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Michelle. Absolutely make charcuterie skewers for the hubby- he deserves it!
Liz says
I love recipes like this!!! You can use whatever your own favorites and it makes a gorgeous presentation!! Happy Thanksgiving week, my friend!!!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Liz. Wishing your family and very happy Thanksgiving too. That is the best part - just using the ingredients you like or have in your pantry to make easy charcuterie skewers.
Heidi | The Frugal Girls says
This is such a fabulous party idea. Not only is it totally gorgeous, but you've incorporated so many fun flavors. YUM!
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Heidi! We are all about easy no cook appetizer ideas. Great to bring as appetizer to pass around the holidays.
Carla says
This is such a creative and artful idea. Your photos are so inspiring -- I love sharing them with my mom and trying things out from all the exotic places.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Carla. Making an antipasto wreath is such foodie activity to do with family and friends.
Kevin says
Wow perfect centerpiece
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Kevin. Glad you liked our centerpiece charcuterie skewers. After everyone gets their Instagram shot, its fair game for eating. (Smiling)
Raul says
As pretty as it is deliscious
HWC Magazine says
Awww...thanks so much Raul. Delighted you liked this idea for creating an antipasto wreath. Wishing your family a very safe and happy holiday season.
Hannah says
Now THIS is adorable! You'd absolutely win the holidays with this gorgeous and abundant platter. I seriously want to try making one myself, even though I'm not hosting this year!
Dana says
Its that time of year when we need some crowd pleasers...
Martyna @ Wholesome Cook says
Those prosciutto wraps look superb!
Healthy World Cuisine says
So easy and yet so yummy. You can make them several hours in advance of your guest arrival and then at the last minute a little drizzle of olive oil and some cracked pepper on top and yum!
Jo-Lyn says
This looks like a great snack or appetizer tray!!! I have done pickle wraps with meats like this but never basil, I may have to try this!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Jo-Lyn. My sister showed me I thought was a weird appetizer but it tastes awesome. She takes a slice of ham, proscuitto, turkey then slathers it with a layer of cream cheese, then puts a 1/4 spear of a dill pickle in side and wraps up and cuts into slices. Weird but so good. What is your recipe for the pickles wraps?
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Charles, All that eating during your growth spurt seems to have worked wonders. Look at the tall handsome chap you turned out to be. My youngest son loves to eat but he also loves to cook so maybe we are on to something here... Take care, BAM
Charles says
Haha, hollow legs - my parents used to say the same thing 😀 I could always pack away vast quantities of food! 😀 I saw some more antipasti recently... this serves as a reminder that I should give it a try soon - I love things like this 🙂
lambyknits01 says
I cannot imagine my son growing that much in one year! That is scary fast! These all look really yummy 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
I think I am going to have to put a brick on his head to stop him from growing. I sure wish there was a grocery store right in our apartment complex as making food hauls is starting to through out my good shoulder... Take care, BAM
saffronandhoney says
Looks like a total party success!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
For about 5 whole good minutes... LOL Take care, BAM
saffronandhoney says
I think with that crowd, that's still an accomplishment:)