A stunning autumnal board combining cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and wheat stalk-inspired elements.
# What you'll need:
→ Cheeses
01 - 5.3 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
02 - 5.3 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
03 - 5.3 oz creamy brie, sliced or in wedges
04 - 3.5 oz gouda, cubed
→ Cured Meats
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto
06 - 3.5 oz salami, sliced
07 - 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast, sliced
→ Crackers & Bread
08 - 5.3 oz whole wheat crackers
09 - 5.3 oz multigrain crackers
10 - 1 small baguette, sliced
→ Fresh Fruits
11 - 1 small bunch green grapes
12 - 1 small bunch red grapes
13 - 1 pear, sliced
14 - 1 apple, sliced
15 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
16 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries
→ Nuts & Garnishes
17 - 1/2 cup roasted almonds
18 - 1/2 cup shelled pistachios
19 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
20 - 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
→ Decoration
21 - 1 mini pumpkin or gourd (turkey body)
22 - Pretzel sticks (for wheat stalks and feathers)
23 - 2 black olives (for eyes)
24 - 1 small piece red bell pepper (for wattle)
25 - 1 small triangle yellow cheese (for beak)
# Method:
01 - Place the mini pumpkin or gourd at the bottom center of a large wooden board, forming the turkey’s body.
02 - Fan sliced prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey breast above the pumpkin to resemble the turkey’s tail feathers, alternating colors and textures.
03 - Lay sliced cheddar, Swiss, brie, and cubed gouda in arcs radiating outward from the turkey body, mimicking wheat field rows.
04 - Arrange whole wheat and multigrain crackers, along with baguette slices, in lines or curves to evoke wheat stalks.
05 - Arrange green and red grapes, apple and pear slices, dried apricots, and cranberries artfully around the cheeses and meats.
06 - Scatter roasted almonds, shelled pistachios, pumpkin seeds, and fresh rosemary sprigs to fill gaps and add texture.
07 - Insert pretzel sticks along edges and among cheese and fruit clusters to replicate wheat stalks.
08 - Attach black olives as eyes, red bell pepper piece as wattle, and yellow cheese triangle as beak to the front of the pumpkin using toothpicks if needed.
09 - Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.