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Quick Spooky Veggie Skeleton Tray with Easy Ranch Dip

veggie skeleton tray - featured image
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A fun and easy Halloween snack that looks like a skeleton made from fresh vegetables, served with a creamy homemade ranch dip. Perfect for parties and weeknight chaos.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced into rounds
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, whole or halved
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup hummus or cream cheese (optional, for ‘gluing’ parts)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Make the ranch dip: In a small mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency. Cover and refrigerate.
  2. Prep the veggies: Wash all vegetables. Cut broccoli and cauliflower into medium florets. Peel carrots and cut into thin strips (3-4 inches long). Slice cucumber into 1/4-inch rounds. Cut red bell pepper into thin strips. Halve cherry tomatoes if large. Slice black olives into rounds.
  3. Assemble the skeleton on a large platter: Place a large cauliflower floret at the top for the skull. Add two cucumber slices for eyes, topped with black olive slices for pupils. Add a small carrot strip below for the mouth.
  4. Arrange broccoli florets in a straight line down the center for the spine.
  5. Place more broccoli florets on either side of the spine, angling outward for ribs (4-5 pairs).
  6. Use two long carrot strips angled outward from the upper ribcage for arms. Add sugar snap peas at the ends for fingers.
  7. Use two long carrot strips extending downward from the lower ribcage for legs. Add cucumber rounds at the bottom for feet.
  8. Place cherry tomatoes in the center of the ribcage for the heart.
  9. Spoon the ranch dip into a small bowl and place near the skeleton’s head or in the center. Surround with any remaining veggies.

Notes

The dip gets better as it sits, so make it first. Use cream cheese or hummus as ‘glue’ to keep veggie pieces in place. Prep veggies up to 24 hours ahead. For a vegan version, use vegan sour cream and mayo.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, veggie tray, skeleton, ranch dip, healthy snack, party appetizer, spooky

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/quick-spooky-veggie-skeleton-tray-with-easy-ranch-dip/