Save A festive and colorful platter of fresh vegetables arranged as ornament dippers, perfect for holiday gatherings and healthy snacking.
This platter has become a holiday favorite in my family, sparking joy and encouraging everyone to eat more veggies.
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 1/2-inch 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 bite-sized florets.
- Step 5:
- 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 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 This platter always brings my family together around the table to share laughter and holiday cheer.
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
Nutritional Information
Calories 85 Total Fat 3 g Carbohydrates 13 g Protein 3 g (per serving)
Save These veggie ornament dippers add a perfect blend of health and holiday fun to your gatherings.
Recipe Help & Answers
- → What vegetables are best for creating the ornament shapes?
Bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots work well for cutting into round ornament shapes due to their firm texture, making them easy to slice and skewer.
- → How can I make the platter gluten-free?
Substitute pretzel sticks or breadsticks with gluten-free alternatives to keep the platter suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
- → What dips complement the vegetable ornaments?
Hummus and ranch-style or Greek yogurt dips provide creamy, flavorful pairings that enhance the fresh vegetable flavors.
- → Can I customize the garnishes on the platter?
Yes, parsley, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and pomegranate seeds add color and texture, but you can vary these or add edible gold dust or fresh herbs for extra festivity.
- → Are there tips for preparing the vegetables quickly?
Using a small round cookie cutter speeds up the process of creating uniform ornament shapes from bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots.