Mini Pumpkin Charcuterie
These mini pumpkin charcuterie appetizers are such a fun way to serve individual portions for Thanksgiving! Hollowed-out mini pumpkins are filled with crunchy pretzels, cheese, prosciutto, fresh fruit and all your favorite charcuterie bites.
Equipment
- 8 cocktail picks
Ingredients
- 4 small pumpkins (ornamental or mini pie pumpkins suitable for food serving)
- 1 cup peanut butter pretzels, approximately
- 4-6 oz aged Gouda cheese, cut into slices
- 4 slices prosciutto
- 1/2 cup fresh cantaloupe, cut into cubes
- 4 fresh blackberries
- 12 large green olives
- 8-12 dried apricots
- 8-12 assorted crackers
- 4 white chocolate-covered pretzels
- 4 small sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the pumpkins. Carefully cut around the top of each pumpkin to create a lid.
- Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp, creating a hollow space inside each pumpkin. Wipe away any remaining moisture.
- Prepare the fruit and cheese skewers by threading a cube of aged Gouda, folded prosciutto, cantaloupe and a blackberry onto each small appetizer skewer.
- Thread the green olives onto separate small skewers.
- Fill the bottom of each hollowed-out pumpkin with peanut butter pretzels, creating a crunchy base.
- Arrange the prepared skewers inside each pumpkin, allowing some of the ingredients to stand upright.
- Add the dried apricots and crackers, filling in the gaps around the skewers.
- Finish each pumpkin with a white chocolate-covered pretzel and a small sprig of fresh rosemary.
- Arrange on a serving platter and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
You can adjust the quantities depending on the size of your pumpkins and how generously you’d like to fill them.
Choose pumpkins with a flat base so they sit securely on your serving platter.
Use any firm cheese you enjoy in place of aged Gouda.
Prepare the skewers ahead of time, but assemble the pumpkins closer to serving.
If using decorative ornamental pumpkins, ensure they are appropriate for food serving and use a food-safe liner if needed. Do not consume ornamental pumpkin flesh.
Keep refrigerated until serving and follow standard food safety guidelines for perishable ingredients.