Veggie Christmas Tree

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The holidays are almost here which means it's time to start thinking about what events we are going to host and what we will bring to parties we go to. I always like to bring this Veggie Christmas Tree because everyone loves it and it is super healthy!

For this project, you will need some craft items and plenty of fresh veggies.

Plastic Divided Trays

These are the trays I like to use, nowadays, rather than the small one in the photos. I can fit much more veggies in them. You can see in my other recipes and cute food that I really like to go all out with the vegetables at the base!

This Styrofoam cone is what is in the center of my tree. You could do any size you would like. I used 8"x3" green styrofoam cone, for a just over 12" tall finished tree, so the shopping lists will work for this size tree. The bigger the tree, the more impressive! 

I used these Linzer Tart Cookie Cutters from Amazon for the stars, but you could probably make a template and cut them by hand.

If you want a smaller or larger tree, just adjust your groceries accordingly.

Craft Items:

- Styrofoam cone - 8x3" (you can buy it on Amazon HERE)

- Plastic divided tray (you will be hot glueing the tree to the tray, so plastic, works best BUT you could forego the glue and just set the tree on a nice dish, too. I LOVE these)

- hot glue gun & glue sticks (optional)

- round toothpicks

- round wooden skewers

- Linzer tart cookie cutter (for tiny star shape cutter - I used these)

- wire cutter or strong scissor (to cut skewers)

Grocery List:

- 3 large bunches Broccoli

- 2 large Broccoliflower

- 1 large Cauliflower

- 1+ Red Bell Pepper (depending if you would like to serve extra on the side)

- 1+ Yellow Bell Pepper (depending if you would like to serve extra on the side)

- 1 package cherry tomato

- 1 jar cocktail onions

- 1 bag of baby carrots

Veggie Tree Assembly

STEP 1 - Hot glue your styrofoam cone to your plastictray (optional). This makes a stable base andmakes transportation very easy.

STEP 2 - Cut your Broccoli, Cauliflower and Broccoliflower into dipping sized pieces. Sizes should vary but shouldn't be too large or too small.

STEP 3 - Attach your Broccoli and Broccoliflower to the cone with ROUND toothpicks, grouped in clusters, with larger pieces at the bottom and graduating up to the top. Don't worry if there are small holes in your design, they will be filled in later with carrots and other decorations.

When you get to the top, and toothpicks are not long enough cut skewers with a wire cutter or strong scissor to pick your veggies into place until you achieve a perfect tree shape.

STEP 4 - Cut 1 red pepper and 1 yellow pepper into dipping size strips. Tuck the ends of those strips into the tree, in a spiral, starting at the top and spiraling down to the bottom. Tuck a carrot in next to them to hold them in if needed. No toothpicks needed, here.

STEP 5 - Poke carrot sticks intermittenly in holes between the broccili and broccoliflower florets. No toothpicks needed.

STEP 6 - Use FLAT toothpicks to secure cherry tomatoes and cocktail onions to the tree. Poke small side all the way through onion or tomato. Press tomato or onion into tree.

STEP 7 - Cut out stars with small linzer tart cookie cutter from 1 Yellow pepper. Save 1 large piece to hand cut 1 larger star for top, or make a paper stencil or use a larger cookie cutter if you'd like for large star.

Secure stars with toothpicks poked and secured right in broccili pieces.

STEP 8 - Fill tray base with cauliflower.

STEP 9 - Serve with your favorite veggie dip or refrigerate until serving. If it doesn't fit in your refridgerator, I have had good luck leaving it out on the counter overnight when the house wasn't too hot. I spritz it with water and cover with saran wrap and it still looks completely fresh the next day!

I used a linzer tart cookie cutter to cut out the little stars. I cut out the top star by hand with a paring knife.

I hot glued a foam tree to the plastic tray and attached the broccoli and broccoliflower with round toothpics. I had to use some skewers I cut down with a wire cutter to get the shape right at the top.

I like clustering the florets according to color. You can do just broccoli or cauliflower, too.

The carrots are just poked into the holes in the broccoli. So are the pepper "garlands." The other veggies are pinned in with toothpicks.

Want more? I have other Cute Veggie Platters and Food Sculpture