Sweet and Salty Charcuterie Board

What Is Charcuterie?

Charcuterie, pronounced “shahr-ku-tuh-ree” is a word that is used to describe cured cold meats. Curing meats for preservation is a process that was used by humans before refrigeration was invented.

Examples of charcuterie meats include salami, prosciutto, mortadella and pepperoni. What is referred to as charcuterie mostly nowadays is a large board which not only contains meats but also contains other satisfying snacks.

You could even make a strictly savory charcuterie board or a dessert charcuterie board. Lay all items for the board on a large cutting board or even on a baking sheet if that’s what you have.

Why Make a Charcuterie Board?

There are many reasons why you should make a Charcuterie Board:

• It is pretty. Charcuterie boards are pretty to look at and inviting. After all, we eat first with our eyes.
• It is easy to put together. You do not need to cook anything for a Charcuterie board. You simply assemble different components together.
• It is versatile. You can go in different directions with a charcuterie board. You can make it sweet and salty, mostly cheese and meats or you can build it to suit seasons or holidays. So versatile!

A Sweet and Salty Charcuterie Board

The holidays are mostly about sweets! All the baked goods oozing with various flavors. A sweet and salty charcuterie board is perfect for the holidays or for special celebrations.

You still get the charcuterie meats, and cheeses, then you get lots of fruits and sweetness!

We added some Nonni’s Salted Caramel Biscotti and Gingerbread Biscotti to take this charcuterie board to the next level!

Nonni’s Foods is an artisan Italian-inspired baked goods company that is dedicated to using wholesome ingredients in its cookies, including eggs, butter, and sugar.

The Gingerbread Biscotti flavor really rings in the holidays. We also love how the Biscotti is soft and easy to chew when you dip into your favorite hot drink.

Nonni’s has a wide variety of Biscotti flavors to choose from whether you want to serve the Biscotti on a charcuterie board or you want to dunk them in a cup of hot cocoa.

What Goes On a Charcuterie Board?

Here are the various categories of items to add to your charcuterie board, also known as a cheese board:

1. Cured meats: The star of the show! Great choices are salami, prosciutto, mortadella, and pepperoni.
2. Cheeses: Use a variety of cheeses, mixing together hard and soft cheeses. Some favorites are brie, provolone, goat cheese, and sharp cheddar. Cheese cubes would work as well.
3. Crackers: Crackers like butter crackers, pita chips or even small slices of toasted baguette would work. For sweeter options add cookies like chocolate chip cookies or shortbread cookies.
4. Nuts: Toasted or raw nuts like almonds, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts, would work.
5. Dried Fruit: Dried apricots, figs, apples, and dates all work well on a snack board.
6. Fresh Fruit: Incorporate lots of fresh fruit like fresh berries, apple slices, orange slices, and fresh figs.
7. Jams, Jellies, Honey, Spreads: Charcuterie boards go great with spreads including jams, honey, and spreads like chocolate hazelnut spread. Some of our favorite jams are Strawberry Jam and Pineapple Jam. Place any spread you use in a small bowl and place it on the board.
8. Olives: Olives bring a much needed acidic element to the board. We love using Greek olives, the kind sold in glass jars.

Check out this recipe for homemade Apricot Preserves, which is perfect on a charcuterie board!

For the board, we used a round wooden lazy suzan but you can use any wooden chopping board or baking sheet you have on hand.

Decorate your board with fresh herbs or edible flowers to give it a gourmet finishing touch.

• Yield: 8 servings
• Prep: 15 minutes
• Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Sweet Ingredients

• 8 oz grapes, 2 varieties like red and green
• 8 oz strawberries
• 8 oz blueberries
• 6 oz apple, sliced
• 1/4 cup dried apricots
• 1/4 cup golden raisins, or regular raisins
• 6 oz Nonni's biscotti, Gingerbread or Salted Caramel flavor
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam or fruit preserves, or other jam or sweet spread of choice

Salty Ingredients

• 4 oz prosciutto
• 4 oz salami
• 2 oz pepperoni
• 5 oz spreadable cheese
• 8 oz brie cheese
• 5 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese slices, or other hard cheese of choice
• 3 oz olives, we used a Greek olive medley
• 1/4 cup salt roasted almonds
• 4 oz crackers

Method

1. Place grapes around the border of a wooden board or serving platter.
2. Add any round items like the bowl containing olives, and a bowl containing jam or a sweet spread and the spreadable cheese. Place the brie in the middle of the platter and cut into wedges.
3. Arrange all the other ingredients on the board.