1 large English cucumber, sliced into 20 thick rounds
20 small cubes of sharp cheddar cheese
1 large red bell pepper, cut into small star shapes
20 sturdy wooden toothpicks
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened (for “glue”)
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Pomegranate seeds for decoration
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Base and Topper Start by washing the English cucumber and slicing it into rounds that are about half an inch thick. These will serve as the sturdy “ground” for your trees. Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to punch out 20 stars from the red bell pepper. If you do not have a cutter, you can carefully hand-cut small triangles to represent the tree toppers.
Step 2: Fold the Salami Take one slice of beef salami and fold it in half. Then, begin folding it back and forth in a tight accordion or zig-zag pattern, starting wide at the bottom and getting narrower toward the top. This creates the layered look of a pine tree. Hold the folded salami firmly between your fingers so it does not unfurl before you can secure it.
Step 3: Assemble the Tree Push a toothpick through the top of the folded salami and slide it all the way through the center until the toothpick emerges at the bottom. Gently pull the folds apart slightly to give the “tree” more volume. Place a cube of cheddar cheese or a small dollop of cream cheese on the cucumber slice, then press the bottom of the toothpick into the cucumber until it stands upright and stable.
Step 4: Add the Final Details Place a red pepper star on the very top of the toothpick, covering the sharp point. For an extra festive touch, tuck a small sprig of fresh rosemary near the base of the tree to look like fallen pine needles. You can also use tiny dots of cream cheese to “stick” pomegranate seeds onto the salami folds to act as colorful ornaments.
