Great Additions to A Fall Charcuterie Board
Do you love charcuterie boards? I am all about them and on my list of things to do was to create a Fall Charcuterie board. Are you ready?
Charcuterie is just a fancy word for a selection of meats surrounded by foods that complement those meats; most commonly, fruits, nuts, cheeses, crackers and dips.
Perfect when there are feet under my table.
Entertaining has my heart.
Fall just heralds the season of entertaining and guests.
Although, with the rise of quarantine again, I’m still hopeful and planning for a time when one of these great charcuterie boards can be loved by all.
I’d love to hear if you love creating these, too, for your guests.
That Fall Charcuterie Board began here–
You realize that my “canning” is full on in July and August–right?
That carrot cake jam and marinara sauce I recently shared with you has filled my pantry. There have been other things happening in the canning and freezing world over here and I’m not finished yet!
What has that got to do with a charcuterie board you ask? Well, more often than not, some sort of my jam or pickles make their way there.
This fall, entertaining is screaming for fall charcuterie board ideas.
So, I thought I would share these ideas with all of you.
Because of all of the fall inspiration happening around me, I thought–well, why not make that fall charcuterie board round– with a “wreath” circle of items on the edge and holding in the contents?
Let’s get started!
This wreath began with arugula. Favorite greens with a peppery taste that served as my base for the wreath.
My herb garden is full and gorgeous right now, so bunches of herbs–fresh basil, chives, celery, oregano, thyme, and rosemary were added onto the wreath. Not only did they add beauty, but the fragrance that they provided from the wreath was amazing.
Next, I added meat to the wreath. Turkey pepperoni and Genoa salami (rolled into roses) were added.
Something that screams fall to me is nuts. Now you can add pistachios, pecans, walnuts or almonds–whichever you choose, but somehow the season of gathering nuts causes me to make sure they are a part of the fall board. Raw almonds were in my pantry and a perfect match with the cheeses.
what are your thoughts?
Fruit always is a necessary component. There are those who will be here who are always game for fresh fruit, but to keep in “fall charcuterie board” theme, I felt that the darker concord grapes would be the perfect addition.
Dried fruit such as figs or cranberries are also a perfect fall addition.
Can I tell you that a variety of cheeses are a favorite to add here? Maple bacon cheddar and a Cranberry Chipotle cheddar were cubed and tucked in.
Toasted seeds can be added and would be both gorgeous and add great taste and crunch…sunflower, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts are perfect for this.
Fresh veggies– snacking peppers and asparagus tips added so much color and texture.
Pickled ingredients– green or black olives, pickles, okra, and spicy green beans all make great additions.
Crackers, bread cubes and/or pretzels are great to complete the board.
Fall Charcuterie Wreath
Equipment
- round cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 bunch arugula
- fresh veggies: asparagus, snacking peppers, etc.
- almonds, pecans, walnuts or nut mix
- cheese cubes or wedges, variety of flavors
- herbs- rosemary, thyme, chives(blooms), oregano, basil
- green olives picked ingredients, such as, okra, spicy green beans, black or green olives are all great.
- crackers, variety of types and flavors
- dried fruit- figs, craisins, raisins
- fresh fruit- apples, grapes, figs for those fresh fruits that darken, dip them in sprite or fruit fresh to keep from browning
- honey or white balsamic vinegar to drizzle optional
Instructions
- Arrange a circle of arugula around the edge of a round cutting board.
- Begin tucking in herbs–filling in the circle.
- Add groups of different food items around the wreath, balancing colors and textures as you go.
- If you choose, drizzle with honey or a white balsamic vinegar.
- Have fun with it!
Notes
So many charcuterie boards have been created and taken to baby showers, birthday parties, engagement parties, proms, and family gatherings. Whether sweet or savory, they always delight.
They are simply a quick and easy way to add beauty and flavor to a gathering. And for those friends in my life who aren’t fond of cooking?…you will be a hit if you create one of these!
Are you a charcuterie board fan?
The more I make of them…the more I love them! Right now I am making them for my family and hoping and praying that soon more gathering will return to our lives and lots of these can appear on my table. Thanks for joining me!
37 Comments
Vickie Ramey
Love it! I have tried before, but mine are never as pretty as yours. So I got a really pretty tray to help make mine look nice!
Leslie J Watkins
Just keep playing with it! It’s really a fun creative outlet for me. Not all of it good for my WW points…but, enjoyed none the less!
Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns
Leslie, this is gorgeous! I love the “wreath” of arugula! I think you need to make another for christmas!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Elizabeth. YES! For every season. There is so much from the garden that this one truly looked a bit more like “summer harvest” after it was created. I’m sure I’ll do another for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well. It was just an easy and calming creative outlet yesterday that needed a share.
Linda Johnston
Enjoyed your photos Leslie. Made me smile.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you. Smiles are important right now.
Renae
Wow! This is so beautiful. I love that you made a wreath out of it. It looks gorgeous and yummy.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Renae. It was a calming outlet from everything going on right now. I always love creating them. It makes my heart happy.
Cindy
I love charcuterie boards. This is almost too pretty to eat, however, I could dive in.
Pinned!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you so much! I love eating them AND creating them!
Lynn Vogeler
I absolutely love a good charcuterie board. We make them all the time here. Sometimes they are Friday night dinner!
I just love the addition of all your herbs. I too am over flowing in the herb garden. That and the purple grapes really give it that fall feel.
Just love it!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Lynn. This almost felt more like a “summer harvest” board instead of a fall one…but, I’ll create and eat any no matter what they are named…right?
Anne
This might be one of the prettiest charcuterie boards I’ve ever seen! The colors and the way you arranged everything are gorgeous!!!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, thank you so much! It did my heart good to step away from the craziness of the world and just create beauty. Perhaps I should have named it a “summer harvest” instead of fall…but, either way, it was a joy! So glad you appreciated it, too, my friend.
Libbie
Leslie,
This is so pretty and just in time for Fall entertaining! Love and pinning for my next party.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Libbie. Delta is so present here that I felt that in the midst of going back into hibernation that I needed to create something that stepped away from the craziness happening all around. I love fall entertaining and praying that it returns to us all soon. Thanks for pinning! Makes my heart so happy!
Kim
That is beautiful, Leslie! It’s so pretty, almost too pretty to eat. Almost!! 😉
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you! I know…hesitation before we took it apart to eat for sure!
Rosemary Palmer
So pretty and delicious looking. I love seeing all the wonderful ideas and creations these boards take on.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank, Rosemary. It did my heart good to create this one.
Tammy
Leslie, I want to come over and put my feet under your table or counter. Wherever the great food is being served! This Charcuterie Board look so yummy.
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, girlfriend…your feet under the island, the table or the screened porch would make my heart so happy! Some day we need to make that happen!
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Marie
You made this look so pretty! The bed of greens is a really nice touch.
Janet
This looks so delicious.
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Rosemary Palmer
I love this and makes me want to make one everytime I see it. It’s just lovely.
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Leslie J Watkins
Oh, my goodness! My heart is OVERFLOWING! Thank you so much for the wonderful feature.
Michele Howell
This is stunning Leslie! I love creating boards and will definitely be making this one!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you! I love creating them, too!
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Debra
Your charcuterie board is so pretty, Leslie! I never thought of adding chive flowers. Love it! Visiting from Esme’s 283-senior-salon-pit-stop party. Pinned!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Debra. I loved adding in those chive flowers from the herb garden. Thanks so much for commenting and for pinning! Makes my heart so happy.
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