Welcome Fall with a Whimsical Scarecrow Harvest Board!

As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, and a crisp coolness fills the air, our thoughts naturally drift to cozy gatherings and festive fall food. What better way to celebrate the bounty of the season than with a show-stopping Scarecrow Harvest Board? Forget the traditional cheese platter – this delightful centerpiece transforms simple ingredients into an edible work of art that will charm your guests and tantalize their taste buds.

A Scarecrow Harvest Board isn't just about presentation; it's a celebration of autumn's finest flavors. Imagine a colorful array of cheeses, fresh fruits, crunchy vegetables, savory dips, and wholesome crackers, all artfully arranged to resemble a friendly scarecrow. It's an interactive appetizer that encourages grazing, conversation, and plenty of "oohs" and "aahs" from everyone around the table. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Halloween parties, or any fall get-together, this board is surprisingly easy to assemble and endlessly customizable.

Why a Scarecrow Harvest Board is Your New Favorite Fall Appetizer

This isn't just another charcuterie board; it's an experience! Here's why you'll love making a Scarecrow Harvest Board:

• Visually Stunning: It's a true centerpiece, bringing a touch of whimsical fall decor to your spread.
• Crowd-Pleasing: With a variety of textures and flavors, there's something for everyone, catering to different dietary preferences.
• Easy to Customize: Swap ingredients based on what's fresh, your guests' tastes, or what you have on hand.
• Minimal Cooking: Mostly assembly, freeing you up to enjoy your guests.
• Seasonal Flavors: Highlights the best of autumn produce and comforting ingredients.

Elements of a Perfect Harvest Board

Building your scarecrow starts with gathering a fantastic selection of ingredients. Think about a balance of sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy. Here are some ideas:

Cheeses (The Head & Body Structure)

• Soft Cheeses: Brie, goat cheese, cream cheese (for the face).
• Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby Jack, Gouda, pepper jack (cut into slices or cubes for the "body" or hat).

Fruits & Vegetables (Scarecrow's "Clothes" & Hair)

• Autumn Fruits: Sliced apples (Granny Smith for green, Honeycrisp for red), grapes (red and green), pear slices, figs, pomegranate arils.
• Veggies: Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips (red, orange, yellow), cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets.

Dips & Spreads (Adds Flavor & Texture)

• Hummus (plain or roasted red pepper).
• Spinach dip.
• Caramel dip for apples.
• Pumpkin spice cream cheese dip.

Crackers & Breads (The "Straw" & Base)

• Assorted crackers (wheat, multi-grain, butter).
• Pretzel sticks (for "straw" hair).
• Mini breadsticks.

Nuts & Extras (Embellishments)

• Pecans, walnuts, almonds.
• Dried cranberries or cherries.
• Olives.
• Pumpkin seeds.

Optional Meats

While often vegetarian, you can easily add cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or pepperoni if desired. Arrange them artfully around the board.

How to Assemble Your Whimsical Scarecrow

Creating your scarecrow is the fun part! Here’s a simple guide:

1. Step 1: Prepare Your Board: Choose a large wooden cutting board, serving platter, or even a clean sheet of parchment paper laid on a table.
2. Step 2: Form the Head: Place a round of brie or a small bowl of cream cheese near the top-center for the scarecrow’s head.
3. Step 3: Craft the Hat: Use triangular cheese slices (like cheddar) or a small slice of bread to form a hat above the head.
4. Step 4: Add Features: Use olive slices or dried fruit for eyes, a small carrot tip or bell pepper piece for a nose, and a curved pepper strip or pretzel stick for a smile.
5. Step 5: Build the Body: Arrange slices or cubes of hard cheese below the head to form a "shirt" or "body" shape.
6. Step 6: Create "Hair" and "Straw": Use pretzel sticks, thin carrot shreds, or even kale leaves around the head for hair.
7. Step 7: Fill in the "Clothes": Arrange colorful fruits and vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, grapes) around the cheese body, creating the look of clothes.
8. Step 8: Arrange Dips & Spreads: Place small bowls of dips strategically on the board.
9. Step 9: Scatter the Rest: Fill in gaps with crackers, nuts, dried fruit, and any additional ingredients, making sure the board looks abundant and inviting. Don't be afraid to let items spill over slightly for a rustic, overflowing look.

Tips for Success and Customization

• Think Color: Use the vibrant hues of fall produce to your advantage – oranges, reds, yellows, and deep greens will make your board pop.
• Vary Textures: Combine creamy cheeses with crunchy nuts and crisp veggies for an exciting bite.
• Utilize Seasonal Produce: For the freshest and most flavorful options, consult a guide to what's in season. For inspiration on what produce shines this time of year, check out the Farmer's Almanac seasonal produce guide.
• Make it Kid-Friendly: Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of cheese or fruits. Add sweet treats like mini pumpkin cookies or candy corn.
• Prepare Ahead: Most components can be prepped a day in advance. Assemble the board right before serving for optimal freshness.
• Don't Forget Dippers: Ensure there are plenty of crackers, breadsticks, and veggie sticks for scooping up those delicious dips.

A Scarecrow Harvest Board is more than just an appetizer; it's a delightful conversation starter and a true celebration of autumn. Get creative, have fun with the arrangement, and enjoy the smiles it brings to your fall table!

FAQs

Scarecrow Harvest Board

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8-12 servings 1x
• Diet: Omnivore, Vegetarian-adaptable

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Description

A fun and festive charcuterie-style board arranged to look like a scarecrow, perfect for fall entertaining and using seasonal ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 (8 oz) wheel of Brie cheese (for head)
4-6 oz hard cheese, sliced or cubed (e.g., cheddar, Colby Jack, Gouda)
1 (4 oz) log of goat cheese or small bowl of cream cheese (for face/cheeks)
2-3 small bell peppers (red, orange, yellow), sliced into strips
2 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or thinly shredded
1 cucumber, sliced
1 cup red grapes
1 cup green grapes
2 apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith), sliced
1-2 pears, sliced
1/2 cup assorted nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1/4 cup black olives, sliced (for eyes)
1 small bowl of hummus
1 small bowl of caramel dip
Assorted crackers and pretzels sticks
Small breadsticks or grissini
Optional: Slices of prosciutto, salami, or pepperoni

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Instructions

Step 1: Choose a large serving board or platter as your base.
Step 2: Place the wheel of Brie cheese near the top-center of the board to form the scarecrow's head. If using cream cheese, mold it into a round shape.
Step 3: Above the Brie, arrange triangular slices of hard cheese or a small piece of bread to create a hat.
Step 4: Use olive slices for eyes, a small carrot tip or bell pepper piece for a nose, and a curved bell pepper strip or pretzel stick for a smile on the Brie 'head'.
Step 5: Below the head, arrange the sliced or cubed hard cheeses to form the scarecrow's "body" or "shirt" shape.
Step 6: Around the head, use pretzel sticks, shredded carrots, or kale leaves to create the scarecrow's "straw hair."
Step 7: Begin arranging the colorful fruit and vegetable slices (bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, apple and pear slices, grapes) around the cheese "body" to form the scarecrow's "clothes."
Step 8: Place small bowls of hummus and caramel dip strategically on the board, near the body or as part of the overall landscape.
Step 9: Fill in any remaining gaps on the board with assorted crackers, breadsticks, nuts, and dried cranberries, ensuring a bountiful and appealing look. Don't be afraid to overlap items for a rustic effect. If using meats, arrange them artfully around the board.

Notes

Feel free to customize with your favorite fall ingredients! Add pumpkin seeds for extra crunch, or a spiced pear jam for another flavorful dip. For a fully vegetarian board, simply omit any cured meats.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Assembly
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

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