Rhody Recipe: Assemble a Very Rhody Mezze Board

Winter is the perfect time for gathering around the hearth with shareable feasts, and nothing says the holidays like a board overflowing with provisions. This season, have fun serving this mix between a cheese and charcuterie board and mezze platter. Rhode Island is a treasure trove of mouthwatering morsels, and shopping local means boosting small businesses and going sustainable, as the food doesn’t need to travel far to get to you. The enjoyment of assembling a mezze board is that there are no rules, but here are tried-and-true tips to inspire creativity and deliciousness in assembling your own snacking masterpiece.

1. Find a suitable food-safe board to use as your base – wooden cutting boards, marble boards, or platters all work great.
2. Start by adding the cheeses and meats, along with sweet and savory dips or spreads in small vessels; then fan out the dry goods, like crackers, pretzels, and cookies (I like to use biscotti).
3. Fill up larger spaces with clusters of fruits like a bunch of grapes or handful of cranberries, and place smaller foods like nuts and olives in containers and add them to the board. 
4. Once all of the big-ticket items are placed, fill empty spaces with chopped vegetables, dried fruits, and pickled ingredients.
5. The final step is to garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, and enjoy!

For more tips and recipes, visit RecipeHippie.com

On the Board

Source ingredients at locally owned markets near you. This board was created with items from Hope & Main’s Downtown Makers Marketplace in Providence and Dave’s Fresh Marketplace. Visit product websites for more locations and online buying options.

Vegan IPA Cheddar

Barrett’s Garden, Pawtucket
BarrettsGardenFoods.com

Johnnycake Cranberry Biscotti

Bellicchi’s Best Biscotti, Warren
BellicchisBest.com

Pumpkin Seed Cumin Crackers (gluten free)

Betta Bakes, Warren
BettaBakes.com

Roasted Garlic Onion Jam

BSquared, Narragansett
LiveB2.com

Hard Salami

Del Duca, Mapleville
DelDucaFood.com

Bagnetto Parsley Condiment

Great Aunt Louise’s, Warren
GreatAuntLouises.com

Divine Providence Cheese

Narragansett Creamery, Providence
RICheeses.com

Roasted Mixed Nuts

Virginia & Spanish Peanut Company, Providence
VSPNut.com

Pita Chips

Z Pita Chipz
ZPitaChipz.com