HALLOWEEN CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Halloween Charcuterie Board

When family and friends gather together at our home for Halloween parties, one of my favorite things to pull together is a Halloween Charcuterie Board – easily customized with cheese, meats, fruits, nuts and crackers already on hand, and each one is a little bit different. There’s nothing better than easy entertaining – and everyone goes CRAZY for this autumn-themed board – full of spicy flavor and colorful meats, cheeses & crackers.

Halloween Charcuterie Board

SIMPLE, FUN & EASY ENTERTAINING!

When I think of Halloween celebrations, it's fun to think of things "outside the box" - no cocktail hot dogs, bloody-looking anything, or bland or boring party food.

I think of spicy and colorful foods, with a mixture of textures and a mix of old favorites and quirky new foods, with family and friends gathering in a casual, relaxed setting to laugh and just have fun.

Food that is unfussy, comforting, rustic, and always with a little something extra special are typically involved.  A charcuterie board is the perfect fit, because you can choose tasty autumn-themed foods and serve them in a way that people can help themselves and come back for more.  The absolute easiest way to entertain!

FOR MY HALLOWEEN CHARCUTERIE BOARD I USED THE FOLLOWING:

• Fresh Green Grapes
• Stonewall Kitchen Cheddar Asiago Cheese Sticks
• Trader Joe’s Dutch Spicy Kaas Cheese (Goat Cheese with Red, Green & Spicy Peppers)
• Blueberry Cheesecake Fudge
• Cheddar Ranch Cream Cheese Spread
• Trader Joe’s Vegie & Flaxseed Corn Tortilla Chips
• Dried Mangos
• Genoa Salame Paninos (salame rolled with mozzarella cheese)
• Prosciutto Panino (thin sliced mozzarella cheese with prosciutto)
• Smoky Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus
• Fresh Red Grapes
• Smoked Black Forest Ham
• Trader Joe’s Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins
• Chocolate Covered Cashews
• Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
• Fresh Blackberries
• Trader Joe’s Everything Crackers

HALLOWEEN CHARCUTERIE BOARD

When family and friends gather together at our home for Halloween parties, one of my favorite things to pull together is a Halloween Charcuterie Board – easily customized with cheese, meats, fruits, nuts and crackers already on hand, and each one is a little bit different. There’s nothing better than easy entertaining – and everyone goes CRAZY for this autumn-themed board – full of spicy flavor and colorful meats, cheeses & crackers. 
​

Halloween Charcuterie Board

INGREDIENTS:
FOR MY HALLOWEEN CHARCUTERIE BOARD I USED:

• Fresh Green Grapes
• Stonewall Kitchen Cheddar Asiago Cheese Sticks
• Trader Joe’s Dutch Spicy Kaas Cheese (Goat Cheese with Red, Green & Spicy Peppers)
• Blueberry Cheesecake Fudge
• Cheddar Ranch Cream Cheese Spread
• Trader Joe’s Vegie & Flaxseed Corn Tortilla Chips
• Dried Mangos
• Genoa Salame Paninos (salame rolled with mozzarella cheese)
• Prosciutto Panino (thin sliced mozzarella cheese with prosciutto)
• smoky-chipotle-pumpkin-hummus.htmlSmoky Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus
• Fresh Red Grapes
• Smoked Black Forest Ham
• Trader Joe’s Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins
• Chocolate Covered Cashews
• Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
• Fresh Blackberries
• Trader Joe’s Everything Crackers

 
The secret of a great charcuterie board is to find fresh flavors and textures that work for you and your friends.  Mix and match your favorite cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts and condiments for something wonderful and unique every time!
 
CHEESE:  a selection of 3 or 4 is the way to go.  One cheese should be soft and creamy; another firm and aged, another flavorful, and another that is seasonal and different.  Some of our favorites include:

• Soft & Creamy:  Chevre Goat Cheeses, Feta Cheese (cubed & marinated)
• Firm & Aged:  Asiago and Manchego (similar to Monterey Jack cheese)
• Seasonal & Different:  Fig Goat Cheese Log, Cranberry Goat Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Semi-Soft Cheese, Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese.  If you've never tried Trader Joe's Dutch Spicy Kaas Cheese, you are in for a treat - goat cheese stuffed with colorful red peppers, green peppers and spicy peppers are PERFECT for Halloween!  

 
MEAT:  a selection of 3 Italian sliced deli-meats is the magic number.  Something spicy, something peppery, and something traditional. Some of our favorites include:

• Prosciutto (traditional!)
• Hot Calabrese or Capocolla
• Peppered Salami
• Summer Sausage

 
SPREADABLES:  a selection of 1 or 2 gives you a nice balance.  Something with an edge – and another that is a simple surprise.  Some of my favorites include:

• Traditional Hummus is always a crowd-favorite, but give my Smoky Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus a try for something new and wonderful!
• Roasted Pine Nut Hummus
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Flavored Cream Cheese - Cheddar Ranch Cream Cheese Spread is perfect for fall!

 
NUTS & CHOCOLATES:  you can’t go wrong here at all with a selection of 3.  Something simple and roasted, another spicy, and something sweet – the perfect trifecta of favorites.  Popular choices include:

• Marcona Almonds
• Seasoned Almonds
• Glazed Pecans
• Dark Chocolate pieces or candies
• Chocolate Covered Nuts
• Homemade Fudge - and specifically Blueberry Cheesecake Cheese Fudge - the pop of color and fresh blueberry flavor tucked into creamy fudge is TO DIE FOR!

 
FRUITS & VEGETABLES:  a selection of seasonal fruit and traditional vegies, both fresh and dried, gives you a nice balance and a burst of color.  Some of our winter favorites are:

• Red Seedless Grapes
• Fresh Fig (cut in half)
• Fresh Blackberries
• Dried Apricots
• Cherry Tomatoes or Sweet Cherry Peppers stuffed with Goat cheese
• Marinated Artichokes
• Roasted Red Bell Peppers
• Dried Mangos
• Sun Dried Tomatoes

 
GARNISHES & CONDIMENTS:  a simple selection of 2 or 3 rounds everything out – something sweet and something savory.  Crowd favorites include:

• Italian Olives, Marinated Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives or Flavored Olive Tapenade (visit your local olive bar and pick up something fresh and colorful)
• Honey
• Whole Grained Dijon Mustard
• Bonne Mamon Intense Fruit Spread or Smucker’s Fruit & Honey Fruit Spread
• Fig Jam
• Baby Dill Pickles
• Fresh Rosemary

 
CRACKERS & BREAD:  a selection of 3 is the perfect amount – if you don’t have room on your platter, you can place them in a basket next to your board.  Some favorites are:

• Fresh Pita or Naan Bread (I LOVE little tiny Naan Dippers on my boards!)
• Artisanal Crackers or Flatbread (something with seeds and nuts are perfect)
• Buttery Crackers
• Pita Chips
• Breadsticks
• Cheddar Asiago Cheese Sticks (love the twisted look and flavor!)

 
FAVORITE WINES:  Pick a few of your favorites and you’ve got an instant party!  You can’t go wrong with a red and white, something dry and something sweet:

• A good Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Moscato
• Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
• For something special, offer Winter Sangria or Mulled Spiced Wine!

 
HOW I MAKE THIS:

1. Choose a nice solid cutting board or wooden serving tray to create your platter.  Your guests will be cutting cheese directly on the board so be sure to use something sturdy.  You can always add additional platters if you are preparing this for a crowd!
2. Assemble your favorites and place on serving board, starting with the cheese and meats. 
3. Don’t slice up the cheese prior to serving – put out some simple cheese knives and let everyone cut off a hunk of their favorite, or a small taste of something new. 
4. Purchase sliced meats for easy serving. 
5. Place your spreadables in small crocks to contain them on your board.
6. Wash and pat the fresh fruit dry; add fresh and dried fruits for color.  If you’re serving fresh apple slices, soak them in Sprite or Seven-Up and pat dry so that they don’t turn brown.
7. If you serve olives or pickles, place them in tiny bowls so that they don’t roll around and flavor other platter ingredients. 
8. If you don’t have enough room on your platter, place your crackers and bread selection in a basket or on a separate board. 
9. Garnish with lots of fresh green and reds - fresh Rosemary, whole cranberries, ripe pomegranates or pomegranate arils – the perfect garnish for a Football Charcuterie Board!
10. Add cheese knives, small tongs and small spoons next to the board along with appetizer plates and napkins. 
11. Start with small amounts of each item – you can always refresh your platter as time goes by!
    
    

YIELD:  serves a crowd from 4 to 20!

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