Veggie Tables

Working hard Little-Waste-Christmas [realistically "Zero-Waste" is unlikely] also hoping for Little-Waist too. So when Bob had to take something along to a Bring&Share Lunch at the University this week, I suggested he take some crudités in one of my big Tupperware platters.

This platter comes  into its own every Christmas - it is easily transportable, and the rainbow wheel of colour looks enticing on a Buffet Table- especially when surrounded by a sea of golden brown samosas, sausage rolls, breaded chicken nuggets and other high fat canapés. The fresh, crisp veg, plus dips, were well received, but some still came home. As is often the case, there was far more food than necessary.

breaded chicken nuggets and other high fat canapés. The fresh, crisp veg, plus dips, were well received, but some still came home. As is often the case, there was far more food than necessary.I chopped up the veg, and made a 'minestrone' type soup, using some of my chicken stock, a diced and fried onion, and a handful of lentils and macaroni. A squeeze of tomato purée and a spoonful of paprika added colour and flavour. A simple supper which cost pence.
One year at our Open House I attempted a Christmas wreath of grapes, cherry tomatoes and cheese cubes nestling in a fragrant bed of rosemary sprigs, but I wasn't 100% happy with it - half of it was inedible greenery!
So I was quite intrigued to come across some alternative crudités platters on Pinterest this week. I am not sure I have the time or patience to arrange these. But they do look pretty!

The wreath top left is charming - but I am not sure if the sugar snap/mange tout peas would go down well. [aka Mangee Towts]
There's more cheese, olives and tomatoes in these cheese wreaths than mine, and less herbage.
The tree is lovely - but would be quite large I think. Shirley Conran famously said "Life is too short to stuff a mushroom" when discussing the time spent making canapés eating in a single bite. I am inclined to agree with her when it comes to these cucumber/ & carrot trees, and amazing little bugs and minibeasts.
But they are rather cute, you have to admit! You would need to be careful to remove the cocktail stick 'treetrunk' carefully. And I imagine the bugs might collapse en route from plate to mouth - not an elegant look!

Bob thinks that if we persist in calling these food items "Cruddites" then we should reverse the procedure, and refer to the 19th Century activitists in Leicester who opposed the Industrial Revolution as Ludités !
Other than bowls of salad, how do you serve fresh veg and fruit at your Christmas Buffets?