Pickle Christmas Tree Appetizer
If you want a Christmas appetizer that makes people light up, THIS Pickle Christmas Tree is it. It’s simple to assemble and guaranteed to be the most talked-about dish on the table.
Servings: 21
Ingredients
- 2 24 oz jar baby pickles various sizes
- 8 16 oz jar organic baby dill pickles
- one 10 ounce container cherry tomatoes
- small block of cheddar cheese
- fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Wrap the foam crafting cone with food grade plastic wrap and place on a round plate or cutting board.
- Separate the pickles by size into 7 groups from largest to smallest. Reserve about 6 of the smallest pickles for the top of the tree. This will make tapering the pickles up the tree easier when constructing.
- Starting from the bottom of the cone, insert a toothpick about 1 1/2 inches up from the base of the cone. Press a toothpick 3/4 of the way into the cone and attach a pickle. Repeat until one row of pickles is complete. Notes: Attach the pickles with the smaller end facing up and curved side bowing outward.
- Repeat step #3 tapering up using smaller pickles for each subsequent row. Notes: Overlap the bottom row of pickles 1/4 of an inch with the top pickles. Also, place the top pickles in the gap between the bottom pickles.
- When you reach the top of the tree, insert 4-6 toothpicks on the top of the tree facing upward and attach the smallest pickles.
- Insert toothpicks into the tree and decorate with cherry tomatoes for the ornaments.
- Using a small star cookie cutter, cut out the cheese star and attach to the top of the tree with a toothpick. Notes: The cheese star can also be cut out by hand.
- Garnish the base of the tree with fresh rosemary.
- Optional, serve with cured meats, cheese, and nuts.
Notes
A quick reminder… this pickle tree is held together with toothpicks, so let guests know before diving in, especially if kiddos are around.
If you can, try to buy a variety of baby pickle sizes. We used 2 24-oz jars of baby pickles (which were larger) and 8 16-oz jars of organic baby dill pickles (which were smaller). Buy extra pickles if you have to, so you don't run out; the more, the better.