Easy & Delicious Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers: The Perfect Party Appetizer
Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any party or gathering. These vibrant and flavorful skewers offer your guests a delightful array of tastes and textures, from savory turkey to briny olives and creamy fresh mozzarella. They’re not just delicious; their beautiful colors are sure to brighten up any holiday spread or casual get-together!
As the holiday season approaches, many of us begin to think about festive feasts and entertaining loved ones. While the main course often takes center stage, don’t underestimate the power of a fantastic appetizer spread. Appetizers set the tone for the entire meal, offering guests something delightful to nibble on while they mingle, and often providing a much-needed reprieve for the busy cooks in the kitchen.
This year, let’s simplify your holiday preparations without sacrificing flavor or elegance. Our Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers are an ideal choice, bringing a burst of color and a medley of satisfying flavors to your table. They are incredibly versatile and can be tailored to suit various tastes, making them perfect alongside other beloved appetizers like these Smoked Salmon Cucumber Appetizer Bites or a comforting White Bean Artichoke Dip.
Why Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers Are a Must-Have Appetizer
What makes these antipasto skewers such a phenomenal choice for any occasion, especially during busy holidays? The answer lies in their simplicity, visual appeal, and incredible flavor profile. They are:
- Effortlessly Elegant: These skewers look sophisticated with minimal effort. Their colorful array of ingredients instantly catches the eye and adds a festive touch to your spread.
- Highly Customizable: One of the greatest advantages is the ability to easily adapt them to your guests’ preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t like a certain ingredient? Swap it out!
- Perfect Finger Food: No forks or plates required! Guests can easily pick up a skewer and enjoy, making them ideal for mingling and casual entertaining.
- Packed with Flavor and Texture: Each bite offers a delightful combination of savory, tangy, and fresh notes, along with varying textures from firm artichokes to soft mozzarella.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare them in advance, and simply pull them from the fridge when it’s time to serve. This frees up valuable time on the day of your event.
Crafting Your Skewers: The Mediterranean Medley
Our featured Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers incorporate a delicious selection of classic Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. These include savory olives, tender artichoke hearts, fragrant fresh basil, sweet roasted red peppers, creamy fresh mozzarella balls, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy pepperoncinis, and the star of our show, Kretschmar Off-The-Bone Turkey.
A Partnership for Premium Quality: Kretschmar Deli Meats
We are thrilled to partner with Kretschmar to bring you these delightful Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers this holiday season. Kretschmar has a long-standing tradition of providing premium deli meats and cheeses, with a history dating back to 1881. For generations, they have been a trusted name in quality, particularly in areas like Cleveland, Ohio, where their products are a local favorite. You can find their exceptional meats and cheeses at your local Marc’s grocery store deli counter – a convenient one-stop shop for all your recipe ingredients!
Kretschmar’s commitment to quality is evident in every bite. Their turkey boasts a wonderful flavor, and you can feel good knowing it’s MSG-free and gluten-free, with no fillers. They use only the finest ingredients, and their turkey is hand-trimmed for the highest quality cuts. The “Off The Bone” deli meat line, specifically, is delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts, hand-selected to deliver that rich, bone-in flavor without the fuss. This makes their deli meats an incredibly versatile and easy solution for any holiday meal or snack, ultimately saving you precious time in the kitchen so you can spend more moments enjoying your family and guests.
Planning and Preparation Tips
When preparing these delicious antipasto skewers, thinking ahead can make all the difference. Here are a few tips to ensure your skewers are a resounding success:
How Many Skewers Do You Need?
A good rule of thumb is to estimate that each guest will enjoy between one and two skewers. For instance, if you’re hosting 15 people for your holiday gathering, aiming for around 30 skewers will ensure everyone gets their fill. The recipe below provides guidance for 10 skewers, so simply double or triple the recipe as needed to accommodate your guest list. It’s always better to have a few extra than to run out!
Ingredient Spotlight: Building the Perfect Skewer
- Kretschmar Off-The-Bone Turkey: The foundation of our skewers. Its rich flavor and tender texture make it a standout. Rolling the slices adds visual appeal and makes them easier to skewer.
- Fresh Mozzarella Balls: These provide a creamy, mild counterpoint to the bolder flavors. Opt for small “bocconcini” or “ciliegine” for perfect bite-sized pieces.
- Olives and Pepperoncinis: Essential for that characteristic briny, tangy Mediterranean kick. Choose your favorite olives – green, black, or a mix – pitted for easy eating.
- Roasted Red Peppers and Artichoke Hearts: Add a touch of sweetness, earthiness, and a lovely texture. Using jarred or canned versions makes preparation quick and easy.
- Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Basil: Offer bursts of fresh, juicy flavor and vibrant color. These also act as natural “stoppers” at the ends of the skewers.
Unlock Your Creativity: Endless Customization Options
Another fantastic aspect of these Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers is their incredible flexibility. You are truly limited only by your imagination and what you have in your pantry! Don’t hesitate to experiment with additional ingredients or substitute existing ones to match your taste or dietary needs. The goal is to make these skewers uniquely yours and perfectly suited for your guests.
When you find yourself with leftover ingredients after assembly, don’t let them go to waste! A wonderful idea is to arrange them beautifully on a large cutting board alongside your finished skewers. This offers guests the option to create their own custom combinations, and it’s especially thoughtful for those with allergies or specific food preferences, allowing them to easily pick and choose.
Ideas for Customizing Your Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers:
- Olive Variations: Instead of traditional green olives, try the richer, fruitier flavor of Kalamata olives for a deeper Mediterranean profile.
- Cheese Alternatives: While fresh mozzarella is wonderful, consider adding chunks of creamy, briny feta cheese for a more distinctly Greek flavor. You could even use marinated goat cheese.
- Flavor Enhancers: A light drizzle of balsamic glaze over the assembled skewers just before serving can add a touch of sweetness and acidity that truly elevates the flavors.
- Add More Vegetables: Incorporate other fresh vegetables like thinly sliced cucumber rounds, colorful bell pepper chunks (red, yellow, or orange), or even blanched asparagus tips.
- Grilled or Fire-Roasted Options: Look for grilled artichoke hearts and fire-roasted red peppers in your grocery store. These prepared ingredients add a smoky depth that is absolutely delicious.
- Herbs and Spices: Besides basil, fresh oregano or a sprinkle of dried Italian herbs can enhance the Mediterranean essence.
- Meat Options: While turkey is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other deli meats like ham, salami, or even grilled chicken for added variety.
Looking for more Mediterranean appetizer inspiration? Explore our curated list of 15 Must-Make Mediterranean Appetizers to complete your spread!
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Mediterranean Antipasto Skewers
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Turkey Breast, cut and rolled for each skewer, I used Kretschmar Off-The-Bone
- 16 ounces pepperoncinis, whole
- 12 ounces artichoke hearts, cut in half
- 16 ounces roasted red peppers, cut into chunks
- 20 cherry tomatoes
- 20 olives, pitted {whatever color you would like}
- 8 ounces mozzarella balls, fresh
- 1 cup basil, torn into smaller pieces
- parsley
Instructions
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Lay out 10 skewers on a large cutting board. Start with the first skewer and alternate the ingredients starting with a cherry tomato, followed by the mozzarella cheese, basil, an olive, the turkey, a pepperoncini, roasted red pepper, artichoke and finish the skewer with the same ingredients until you have a tomato on each side.
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Garnish with fresh parsley and serve or keep in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Today’s post is sponsored by Kretschmar. You can learn more at kretschmardeli.com. As always, opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make A Cedar Spoon possible!