Save to Pinterest Celebrate the holiday season with a light and enchanting appetizer: Spiral Cucumber Ribbon Christmas Trees. These crisp cucumber ribbons, folded into playful zigzags resembling festive trees, are accented with creamy herbed cheese, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs, perfect for adding a refreshing and colorful touch to any party spread.
Save to Pinterest This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful bite-sized treat. The cool cucumber ribbons provide a refreshing crunch complemented by the rich, creamy cheese infused with fresh herbs, while cherry tomatoes add a burst of juicy sweetness. It’s an appetizer that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, sure to impress your guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- Vegetables
- 2 large English cucumbers
- 6 cherry tomatoes
- Dairy
- 100 g cream cheese, softened
- Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Garnishes & Assembly
- 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. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with dill, chives, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- 3. Cut each cherry tomato in half.
- 4. To assemble each tree, gently thread one cucumber ribbon onto a pretzel stick, folding it back and forth to create a zigzag, tree-like shape.
- 5. Pipe or spoon a small dollop of the herbed cream cheese on the base of each tree.
- 6. Top each tree with a half cherry tomato or a star-shaped bell pepper slice for decoration.
- 7. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
- 8. Arrange the trees upright on a serving platter and serve immediately.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Für ein intensiveres Aroma kann eine Prise Zitronenschale in den Frischkäse gemischt werden. Die Zubereitung erfordert keine Hitze, sodass die Frische der Zutaten voll erhalten bleibt und die Zubereitung besonders schnell gelingt.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Ersetzen Sie den Frischkäse durch Ziegenkäse oder Ricotta für eine andere Geschmacksnote. Für eine vegane Variante kann pflanzlicher Frischkäse verwendet werden. Glutenfreie Brezelstäbchen bieten eine allergenfreundliche Alternative.
Serviervorschläge
Die Cucumber Ribbon Christmas Trees sind perfekt als leichte Vorspeise oder Fingerfood auf Weihnachtsfeiern geeignet. Sofort servieren, damit die Brezelstäbchen knackig bleiben, und mit frischen Kräutern zusätzlich garnieren für einen aromatischen Kick.
Save to Pinterest With these simple and elegant Spiral Cucumber Ribbon Christmas Trees, you can delight guests and bring a touch of nature’s green freshness to your holiday table. Their playful shape and vibrant colors make this appetizer a seasonal standout that's light, tasty, and guaranteed to impress.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do you create cucumber ribbons?
Use a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler to cut the cucumber lengthwise into long, thin strips that are flexible enough to fold.
- → What cheese pairs well with cucumber ribbons?
Soft cream cheese mixed with fresh herbs like dill and chives complements the crisp cucumber ribbons perfectly.
- → How can I make the appetizer gluten-free?
Replace traditional pretzel sticks with gluten-free alternatives to maintain the structure without gluten.
- → Can the cheese be substituted for dietary preferences?
Yes, plant-based or vegan cream cheese works as a suitable alternative while keeping the creamy texture.
- → How to assemble the cucumber trees neatly?
Thread the cucumber ribbons onto pretzel sticks in a zigzag pattern and add a dollop of herbed cheese at the base for stability and flavor.