Save Capture the spirit of the holidays with Spiral Cucumber Ribbon Christmas Trees, a delightful and refreshing appetizer that combines crisp cucumber ribbons with creamy cheese, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. These whimsical, edible trees are perfect for adding festive cheer to your holiday party spread while remaining light and healthy.
Save Crafted with simplicity and elegance, these cucumber trees combine natural flavors and textures to create an appetizer that is both fun and sophisticated. The crunchy cucumbers paired with herbed cream cheese and sweet cherry tomatoes offer a burst of freshness that will please any palate.
Ingredients
- 2 large English cucumbers
- 6 cherry tomatoes
- 100 g cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12 small pretzel sticks
- 12 star-shaped yellow bell pepper slices (optional, for tree toppers)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Wash the cucumbers thoroughly.
- Using a mandoline or a vegetable peeler, slice the cucumbers lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.
- 2. Mix the cream cheese.
- In a small bowl, combine cream cheese with dill, chives, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- 3. Prepare the cherry tomatoes.
- Cut each cherry tomato in half.
- 4. Assemble the trees.
- Gently thread one cucumber ribbon onto a pretzel stick, folding it back and forth to create a zigzag, tree-like shape.
- 5. Add cream cheese.
- Pipe or spoon a small dollop of the herbed cream cheese on the base of each tree.
- 6. Decorate the trees.
- Top each with a half cherry tomato or a star-shaped bell pepper slice.
- 7. Sprinkle seeds.
- Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
- 8. Serve.
- Arrange the trees upright on a serving platter and serve immediately.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Add a pinch of lemon zest into the cream cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Substitute goat cheese or ricotta for cream cheese if preferred. For a vegan option, use plant-based cream cheese.
Serviervorschläge
Serve immediately to prevent the pretzel sticks from softening and to maintain the crisp freshness of the cucumbers.
Save These Spiral Cucumber Ribbon Christmas Trees are a delightful addition to your festive menu, combining simplicity with eye-catching charm and fresh flavors. Perfect for sharing joy and good taste at your holiday celebrations.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I create cucumber ribbons?
Use a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler to slice the cucumber lengthwise into thin, long ribbons that are flexible and easy to shape.
- → What cheese works best for the creamy base?
Softened cream cheese provides a smooth and tangy base, but goat cheese, ricotta, or plant-based alternatives can be used for variation.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
It's best to assemble just before serving to keep pretzel sticks crisp and cucumber ribbons fresh.
- → What garnishes enhance the presentation?
Halved cherry tomatoes, star-shaped bell pepper slices, and a sprinkle of sesame or poppy seeds add color and texture to the trees.
- → Are these suitable for gluten-free diets?
To accommodate gluten-free needs, substitute regular pretzel sticks with gluten-free versions.