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Spooky Skeleton Veggie Tray with Easy Ranch Dip

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A fun and festive Halloween veggie tray shaped like a skeleton, served with a creamy homemade ranch dip. It’s a conversation starter that tricks kids into eating their vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of cauliflower (for the skull)
  • 2 cups broccoli florets (for the ribcage and spine)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (for the heart and joints)
  • 1 large cucumber (sliced into rounds for the spine discs)
  • 1 cup baby carrots (for the arm and leg bones)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced into thin strips for the fingers)
  • 1 cup snap peas (for the toes and additional bones)
  • 1 cup celery sticks (for the long bones of the arms)
  • 2 black olives (for the eye sockets)
  • 1 small red bell pepper (for the mouth and tongue)
  • 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin the dip)

Instructions

  1. Make the Ranch Dip: In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dried dill weed, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried chives, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Gradually stir in 2-3 tablespoons milk until the dip reaches your desired consistency. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the veggies.
  2. Prepare the Cauliflower Skull: Rinse the cauliflower head and pat it dry. Place it on the center of your serving platter. Using a sharp paring knife, carefully carve out two eye sockets about 1 inch deep and 1 inch wide—these should be slightly angled toward the center for a spooky expression. Carve a jagged mouth line about 2 inches long, removing small pieces to create teeth gaps. Insert two black olives into the eye sockets. Cut a small strip of red bell pepper and place it inside the mouth f…
  3. Build the Skeleton Body: Starting from the base of the skull, arrange broccoli florets in two parallel lines to form the spine. On either side of the spine, place more broccoli florets to create the ribcage—about 4 ribs on each side. Place cherry tomatoes at the center of the chest (the heart) and at the shoulder joints. Arrange cucumber slices along the spine between the ribs for added texture.
  4. Create the Arms and Legs: For the arms, place celery sticks extending outward from the shoulder joints. At the ends, arrange yellow bell pepper strips to form bony fingers. For the legs, place baby carrots extending downward from the hip area. Arrange snap peas at the ends for the toes. Use toothpicks to secure any pieces that won’t stay in place.
  5. Add the Finishing Touches: Fill any empty spaces on the platter with extra broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, or cucumber slices. Place the bowl of ranch dip near the skull’s mouth area.
  6. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Best served within 2 hours of assembly.

Notes

Carve the eye sockets smaller than you think you need; you can always make them bigger. Keep the cauliflower dry for easier carving. Angle the eyes slightly inward for a menacing expression. The dip can be made up to 3 days in advance. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free sour cream and vegan mayonnaise.

Nutrition

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

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