Ingredients:

  • 6 standard 16 oz (450 ml) Mason Jars or sturdy, clear glasses.
  • 12 small, sturdy wooden or bamboo skewers (approx. 4-inch / 10 cm length).
  • 4 oz (115 g) Cured Salami (small, thin rounds; Genoa or Calabrese).
  • 4 oz (115 g) Prosciutto (thinly sliced; approximately 6 slices).
  • 6 oz (170 g) Sharp White Cheddar or Gruyère, cut into 1/2-inch (1.2 cm) cubes.
  • 3 oz (85 g) French Brie or Camembert, cut into 6 small, triangular wedges.
  • 1 cup (150 g) Small Red Grapes (washed and dried completely).
  • 1/2 cup (80 g) Dried Cranberries or Cherries.
  • 12 Large Green Olives (Pitted, preferably Castelvetrano or Manzanilla).
  • 12 Cornichons or small pickled gherkins (drained and patted dry).
  • 12 slender Grissini (Italian breadsticks) or thick pretzel rods.
  • 18 thin, neutral-flavoured water crackers (e.g., Oatcakes or crispbreads).
  • 6 small sprigs of fresh Rosemary (approx. 2 inches / 5 cm long).
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) High-quality olive oil (optional).

Instructions:

  1. Prep Hard Ingredients: Cut the Cheddar cheese into uniform cubes. If desired, use a small cookie cutter to create festive cheese shapes.
  2. Prep Meats: Fold the salami rounds into quarters or ‘salami roses.’ Roll the prosciutto slices lengthwise into tight cigar shapes.
  3. Prep Fruit and Veg: Wash and thoroughly dry the grapes and rosemary. Pat the olives and cornichons dry to prevent sogginess in the jar.
  4. Assemble Skewers: Thread 1 Cheddar cube, 1 olive, and 1 cornichon onto each of the 12 skewers. Set aside.
  5. Establish the Base: Place the remaining cubed cheddar and the dried cranberries/cherries in the very bottom of the jar (no more than 1/4 of the jar’s height). This acts as the heavy base.
  6. Insert Vertical Supports: Place 2 Grissini or pretzel rods vertically along the back edge of the jar, resting against the glass to maintain stability.
  7. Layer the Meats and Fruit: Tuck the rolled prosciutto and folded salami slices around the inside perimeter of the jar, alternating them with the fresh grapes.
  8. Insert Skewers: Gently push the 2 prepared skewers (cheese/olive/cornichon) into the centre of the jar, ensuring they stand upright.
  9. Add Crackers: Carefully slide 3 water crackers down the sides of the jar, nestling them close to the Grissini rods so they protrude slightly above the rim.
  10. Garnish: Top the arrangement with the small wedge of Brie and insert one sprig of fresh rosemary at the front. Drizzle with olive oil, if desired.
  11. Chill (Optional): Cover the jars lightly and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.