Antipasto Wreath Appetizer for Holiday Gatherings

A Wreath for the Table

I want to share my Antipasto Wreath with you. It is not a real wreath for your door. It is food for your table. You put tasty bites on little sticks. Then you lay them in a circle. It looks so pretty. I still smile when I make it.

Why does this matter? Food should be a joy for your eyes, too. This dish is a celebration you can eat. It makes any meal feel special. Do you have a favorite food that looks as good as it tastes?

The Simple Joy of Putting It Together

Making this is easy and fun. You just thread the food onto skewers. Use a tomato, a cheese ball, a piece of meat. Add an olive or an artichoke heart. Mix them up. Each skewer is a little surprise.

My grandkids love to help me do this. We talk and laugh. One time, my grandson made a skewer with only olives. I still laugh at that. Cooking together makes the food taste better, I think. Do you like to cook with someone in your family?

Why These Flavors Work

Let’s talk about the tastes. The tomato is juicy. The cheese is soft and mild. The salty meat and olives are strong. They all balance each other. Then you add the oil and sweet balsamic glaze. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

*Fun fact: The word “antipasto” means “before the meal.” It is the start of something good. Why does this matter? Starting a meal with happy, shared food brings everyone together. It says the party has begun.

A Story About Sharing

I first had something like this years ago. A neighbor brought it over. It was not in a wreath shape. It was just a big bowl. But everyone gathered around it. We talked and ate with our fingers.

That is the magic of this dish. It is for sharing. You pick up a skewer and eat. No plates needed. It feels friendly and relaxed. What is your favorite food to share with friends?

Your Turn to Make It

You can make this your own. No small mozzarella balls? Cut a big one into cubes. Use your favorite meats. Try different olives. The wreath shape is just a guide. Lay the skewers in a sun shape if you like.

The final touch is the fresh herbs. Tuck in some rosemary or basil. It makes it look like a garden. Then drizzle everything with good oil. Crack some pepper on top. Now it is ready. I hope you try it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Grape tomatoes	1 pint
Small mozzarella balls	8 oz	If can’t find the balls then cut fresh mozzarella into cubes for the skewers
Sliced (or cubed) Italian cured meats (e.g., prosciutto, salami)	12 oz	I usually do a 6 oz package of prosciutto and a 6 oz package of salami
Quartered artichoke hearts (in water)	15 oz jar or can
Olives	8 oz jar	You can do a mix of green and black olives
Fresh basil		As needed for garnish/skewers
Fresh rosemary		Optional, for serving
High quality olive oil		For serving
Balsamic glaze or aged balsamic vinegar		Thick and sweet, for serving
Freshly cracked pepper		For serving

My Festive Antipasto Wreath: A Story on a Platter

Hello, my dear. Come sit with me. I want to tell you about my favorite holiday appetizer. It’s not just food. It’s a little story you build with your hands. We call it an Antipasto Wreath. It’s bright, cheerful, and feeds a crowd. I love how everyone gathers around it. The colors just sing of celebration. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

I learned this from my friend Sophia years ago. She brought it to our cookie swap. All the cookies were ignored! We just stood around this beautiful wreath, chatting and eating. I still laugh at that. Now, I make it every year. It feels like the true start of the party. Let me show you how simple it is to make your own.

Step 1: First, get all your little treasures ready. Wash the tomatoes and fresh basil. Drain the mozzarella balls, artichokes, and olives. Pat them dry with a towel. This helps the flavors stick. I like to lay everything out in little bowls. It looks so pretty on the counter. My grandson calls it my “food rainbow.”

Step 2: Now, the fun part! Start threading food onto skewers. Mix and match the colors and textures. Try a tomato, then mozzarella, then a folded slice of salami. Add an olive or an artichoke heart next. Make each skewer a little different. (My hard-learned tip: pointy skewer ends are sharp! Always point them toward the center of the wreath later.)

Step 3: Find your biggest round platter. Begin laying the skewers in a circle. Place them like spokes on a wheel. Overlap them slightly. Tuck a few rosemary sprigs between the skewers. It already looks like a wreath! I always think of my friend Sophia when I do this step. Do you prefer green or black olives? Share below!

Step 4: Drizzle your creation with good olive oil. Then add a swirl of sweet balsamic glaze. The glaze is like edible paint. Finish it with a crack of black pepper. That’s it! Your story is ready to be shared. The smell of rosemary and pepper is amazing. It always brings people into the kitchen.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 8-10 servings
Category: Appetizer, Holiday

Make It Your Own: Three Fun Twists

The best recipes are the ones you play with. This wreath is like a blank canvas. You can change it for your family’s tastes. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried over the years. They all turned out wonderfully.

The Garden Party: Skip the meats. Add pretty veggies like roasted red peppers and marinated mushrooms. Use extra mozzarella. It’s fresh and light.

The Sweet & Spicy: Use spicy soppressata salami. Add little chunks of sweet cantaloupe melon. The mix of hot and sweet is a surprise.

The Holiday Colors: For Christmas, use only red and green. Cherry tomatoes, green olives, and basil. Add little balls of fresh mozzarella. So festive! Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving It With Style

Place your wreath in the middle of the table. Let people help themselves. I like to put small plates and napkins all around. For a bigger meal, it pairs beautifully. Serve it with some crusty bread for dipping. A simple green salad is nice too. It keeps things fresh.

What to drink? For the grown-ups, a light Italian red wine is perfect. For everyone, a sparkling lemonade with a rosemary sprig feels special. The rosemary in the drink matches the wreath. It’s a thoughtful little touch. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Antipasto Wreath Fresh and Festive

Let’s talk about keeping your beautiful wreath tasty. You can store it in the fridge for a day. Just cover it loosely with plastic wrap.

I do not recommend freezing this dish. The tomatoes and fresh mozzarella will get soggy. Trust me, I learned that the hard way once!

For a party, I make the skewers a few hours ahead. I arrange them on the platter just before guests arrive. This keeps everything bright and fresh.

Batch cooking matters because holidays are busy. Doing a little work early saves you time later. You get to enjoy your own party! Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Wreath Worries

First, ingredients sliding off the skewers? Thread a folded piece of meat first. It acts like a stopper for the other items.

Second, a soggy platter is no fun. Always drain your mozzarella and artichokes well. Pat them dry with a paper towel too.

Third, your wreath might look flat. Build it in two layers for a fuller look. I remember my first one was quite skinny!

Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the food look and taste its very best. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Antipasto Wreath Questions, Answered

Q: Is this gluten-free? A: Yes, if you use gluten-free cured meats. Always check the labels on your meats.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: You can make skewers hours ahead. Keep them in a container in the fridge.

Q: What are easy swaps? A: Use bell pepper pieces or mini cucumbers. Try different cheeses like cheddar cubes.

Q: How do I serve a bigger crowd? A: Simply double all the ingredients. Make more skewers for your wreath.

Q: Is the rosemary necessary? A: It is optional but lovely. It makes the platter smell like the holidays. *Fun fact: rosemary is a symbol of remembrance!* Which tip will you try first?

Share Your Holiday Table With Me

I hope this recipe brings joy to your table. It is one of my favorite ways to start a celebration.

I would love to see your creation. Your family might have a fun new twist on it. Sharing food stories connects us all.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I look at every single photo. It makes my day so much brighter.

Happy cooking!
—Lena Morales.