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Antipasto Charcuterie Wreath

November 9, 2022November 10, 2022

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How to Make Antipasto Skewers

Make a gorgeous antipasto charcuterie wreath for your holiday guests this year! You use toothpicks so they can just grab them and go. These antipasto skewers are great for Christmas or Thanksgiving finger food appetizers. Make sure to check out all our other appetizer ideas!

NOTES & FAQs:

Description
- This antipasto/charcuterie wreath…
  - has a wide variety of flavors and textures! It has salty olives, spicy pepperoncini, savory meats, smooth and creamy cheese, and a touch of freshness and snap from the tomato and basil is an easy appetizer that looks impressive and inviting at your holiday get-togethers comes together in less than 30 minutes with zero cook time
Supplies Needed
- A large round serving plate or board
- 4-inch bamboo skewers
  - If you cannot find 4-inch skewers, I recommend buying regular-sized wooden skewers and cutting them down to a smaller size. Unfortunately, toothpicks are too small!
- Scissors to cut rosemary
General/Preparation
- Optional serving suggestions: serve with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, bread, or crackers.
Ingredient Information, Substitutions
- Salami & prosciutto
  - Salami and prosciutto are common charcuterie/antipasto meats, but you can use any other type of cured you prefer.
  - Some potential substitutions include pepperoni, coppa, soppressata, and pancetta.
  - Prosciutto usually comes in large, long slices. Slice into 1-inch thick strips to make it easier to place on the small skewers.
  - When placing the meats on the skewer, you can fold it a few times (like you would a piece of paper) to make it smaller, stay on the skewer better, and have a “fanned” appearance.
- Castelvetrano olives
  - These green olives have a delicate, buttery, smooth flavor and texture. If you cannot find castelvetrano olives, any other type of green olive will do.
- Black olives
  - Regular canned black olives work best here. I don’t recommend substituting with Kalamata olives as they are brinier and stronger in flavor.
- Ciliegine
  - These little mozzarella balls can be found in the deli section of most conventional grocery stores. They are about the size of a cherry tomato or a large marble and are perfect for these skewers. If you cannot find them, you can use any variety of mozzarella you like and cut it smaller as needed.
- Pepperoncini
  - These can be found in the canned food section near the olives. If you want to slightly turn down the spice but still have a type of pepper, banana peppers would make a good substitute.
- Fresh basil
  - The basil adds a fresh, herbaceous factor to the wreath! If you cannot find fresh basil, you could use spinach leaves for a touch of green, although the flavor will be different.
  - I don’t recommend using any dried herbs in this recipe.
- Grape tomatoes
  - Grape tomatoes can be substituted with cherry tomatoes or another type of small tomato of your choice.
Food Safety
- Important notes if serving this dish at a party or outdoors in the heat, sourced from USDA:
  - Leaving food out too long at room temperature can cause bacteria to grow to dangerous levels that can cause illness.
  - Never leave food out of refrigeration over 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90 °F, food should not be left out more than 1 hour.
Storage & Making Ahead
- For best results, I recommend making this and serving immediately. To make ahead, you can cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 hours before serving.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.