Holiday Antipasto Wreath

Dec 15, 2023

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Create a stunning holiday antipasto wreath with mini skewers full of delicious treats like marinated artichokes, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s sure to be a hit at your holiday gathering!

A table with a cutting board holding a wreath of skewers, a small pair of scissors, and fresh rosemary sprigs.

This Holiday Antipasto Wreath is a beautiful, colorful, and flavorful platter to set out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, as part of a New Year’s Eve celebration, or to just make Saturday evening a little more festive. All you have to do is prep a few ingredients and then pop everything onto little bamboo skewers.

What Is Antipasto?

If you’re already familiar with the charcuterie board trend, then this appetizer wreath will be very familiar to you! Antipasto is very similar to charcuterie. Cured meats, pickled or brined veggies, cheeses, and more are all welcome in an antipasto spread. The word “antipasto” is actually Italian for “before the pasta” because these ingredients are usually served as a starter in Italian cuisine.

Clockwise from top: Salami and prosciutto slices, green olives, black olives, grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, sweet cherry peppers, mozzarella balls, balsamic vinegar, oil, sliced bread.

The Ingredients List

Skewers: This recipe makes 40 to 50 (4-inch) bamboo skewers.
Salami: Thinly sliced salami can be folded to make it fit attractively on the skewer.
Prosciutto: Like the salami, this delicious Italian ham should be folded to fit the skewer.
Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella balls are creamy and add a bright pop of white to the wreath. Look for ciliegine, which are the perfect bite-size.
Cherry Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes fit well on the skewer without exuding too much juice.
Pepperoncini: Tangy and a little bit spicy, pepperoncini should be halved, and the stems removed.
Sweet Cherry Peppers: Drain a jar of sweet cherry peppers and remoe the stems and seeds.
Artichokes: Use marinated artichokes, not fresh. If they are whole (or just too large compared to the other ingredients), cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Olives: The buttery mildness of bright green castelvetrano olives is such a treat! Make sure they are pitted. I also use regular black olives, pitted, for contrast.
Basil: Fresh basil leaves elevate the entire dish and add a heavenly fragrance.

How to Make a Holiday Antipasto Wreath

Making this recipe is so simple! Pro tip: randomizing ingredients on the skewers gives the wreath more visual interest and provides options for those who may not eat meat or dairy.

Skewers of olives, mozzarella, etc. on a round cutting board, surrounded by bowls of antipasto ingredients.

Assemble the Skewers. First, prep and set out all of the ingredients. Then thread four or five different ingredients onto each skewer, varying the order and type of ingredients used.
Arrange the Skewers in a Wreath Shape. On a large platter, tray, or charcuterie board (do not use a cutting board meant for preparing raw meats), lay out your antipasto skewers in a circle. Continue to add skewers, until you’ve run out ingredients and have a full, layered wreath.
Add Rosemary. Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut rosemary stems into small sprigs. Arrange them throughout the wreath for decoration.
Enjoy! Serve the antipasto wreath, with (optional) sides of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and bread.

A spoon drizzling balsamic vinegar over a serving of antipasto.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Meat Options: This recipe uses prosciutto and salami, but you can use a variety of Italian cured meats, such as mortadella, coppa, or soppressata.
Cheese Options: Ciliegine cheese is perfect for these skewers, but you can substitute any mozzarella cheese you’d like.
Olive Options: Castelvetrano olives are buttery and mild, balancing out the more robust flavors of the peppers. However, you can use any green olive variety you prefer.
Fresh Is Best: Keep your basil fresh by placing the stems in a glass of water, and storing at room temperature.
Extra Goodies: If you have extra ingredients remaining, serve them in small bowls alongside the wreath, with toothpicks or skewers.

Ideas for Serving

Serve this perfect appetizer on its own or with these crunchy Pasta Chips and these festive Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. Pair it with everyone’s favorite Hot Crab Dip and Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Close-up shot of an antipasto wreath with skewers of prosciutto, pepperoncini, grape tomatoes, etc.

Storing Leftovers

While you can store these skewers for a day or so in the refrigerator, the ingredients will (for the most part) keep better separated and stored in individual airtight containers or bags.
You can also serve the antipasto as a salad the day after. Just take the antipasto ingredients off of the skewers and arrange them on top of your favorite fresh salad greens. Serve with Italian dressing.