Save A whimsical and healthy appetizer featuring crisp vegetables arranged as a snowman, served with a creamy herb dip—perfect for festive gatherings and kids parties.
This fun appetizer brings smiles when I serve it at holiday parties, especially with children eager to build their own edible snowmen.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 1 large cauliflower head (cut into florets), 1 large cucumber, 2 medium carrots (peeled), 1 small red bell pepper, 1 small yellow bell pepper, 6 cherry tomatoes, 1 black olive
- Dip: 200 g (7 oz) Greek yogurt or sour cream, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp fresh chives or dill (finely chopped), 1 garlic clove (minced), Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables:
- Slice the cucumber into 1 cm rounds. Cut one carrot into sticks for snowman arms, and use a peeler to cut thin ribbons from the other carrot for the scarf. Slice bell peppers into small strips and pieces for the hat, buttons, and scarf accent. Slice the black olive into thin rounds for the eyes and mouth.
- Arrange the snowman:
- On a large platter, assemble three cauliflower florets in increasing size vertically to form the snowmans body. Use cucumber rounds for the snow at the base. Add carrot sticks for arms, and carrot ribbons for the scarf around the neck. Use black olive slices for eyes and mouth, a small carrot piece for the nose, and bell pepper strips to create a hat and buttons. Place cherry tomatoes and remaining vegetables around the snowman as extra crudités.
- Prepare the dip:
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives or dill, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve:
- Place the dip in a small bowl next to or within the platter for dipping.
Save This recipe has become a holiday favorite, creating lively family moments as everyone enjoys making and eating their own snowmen.
Required Tools
Large serving platter, Sharp knife, Vegetable peeler, Small mixing bowl, Spoon
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (Greek yogurt or sour cream, mayonnaise) May contain eggs (mayonnaise) Check all ingredient labels for gluten or allergen traces if required
Nutritional Information
Calories: 95 Total Fat: 3.5 g Carbohydrates: 12 g Protein: 4 g
Save This delightful appetizer adds a festive touch to any gathering and encourages healthy snacking with a creative twist.
Recipe Q&A Section
- → What vegetables are used in the snowman crudités?
Cauliflower florets form the body, cucumber rounds create the base, carrots make the arms and scarf, bell peppers add hat and button details, cherry tomatoes provide garnish, and a black olive shapes the eyes and mouth.
- → How is the creamy dip prepared?
The dip combines Greek yogurt or sour cream with mayonnaise, lemon juice, finely chopped chives or dill, minced garlic, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- → Can this appetizer be made vegan?
Yes, substitute Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with plant-based alternatives to keep the dip creamy and suitable for vegan diets.
- → What tools are helpful to assemble the snowman?
A sharp knife, vegetable peeler, large serving platter, small mixing bowl, and spoon help with slicing, arranging, and preparing the dip.
- → How do I maintain vegetable crispness?
Serve the crudités immediately after assembly to ensure the vegetables stay fresh and crunchy for the best texture experience.