8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
8 ounces mozzarella pearls or cubed Monterey Jack cheese
6 ounces sliced turkey salami, folded into triangles
4 ounces beef summer sausage, sliced into rounds
1 cup green grapes
1 cup red grapes
1/2 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries
1/4 cup almond slivers or walnut halves
1 small starfruit or a slice of cheese cut into a star shape
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Assorted crackers for serving on the side
Instructions
Start with a large rectangular wooden board or a flat platter. Begin at the bottom of the board and place a row of sliced beef summer sausage to create the trunk of the tree. This gives you a solid foundation to build the triangular shape upward.
Directly above the trunk, arrange a wide row of green grapes. Make sure this row is the widest part of your tree. This layer provides a bright, fresh base that contrasts beautifully with the savory elements coming next.
Add a layer of cheddar cheese cubes above the grapes, slightly narrowing the width as you go up. Follow this with a row of folded turkey salami. Continue alternating layers of mozzarella pearls, red grapes, and beef sausage, gradually making each row shorter to form the iconic triangle shape of a Christmas tree.
Once the main structure is built, tuck in blackberries and nuts into any small spaces between the rows. This adds texture and makes the tree look full and lush. Ensure the sides of your triangle stay relatively straight as you reach the top point.
Place your starfruit slice or cheese star at the very top of the tree. To give it a realistic forest look, tuck small sprigs of fresh rosemary between the layers. The rosemary looks like pine needles and smells wonderful, immediately bringing the holiday scent to your table.
