Pin It A whimsical, charming platter featuring fresh vegetables artfully arranged to resemble turtles—perfect for parties, kids, or adding fun to any appetizer spread. Served with a creamy herb dip.
A fun interactive way to encourage kids to enjoy vegetables
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 1 large cucumber, 1 green bell pepper, 8 cherry tomatoes, 1 small zucchini, 12 baby carrots, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup snap peas
- Herb Dip: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, Salt and pepper, to taste
- Garnishes & Assembly: 8 black olive slices (for eyes), 8 toothpicks
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Slice the cucumber into 1/2 inch thick rounds these will form the turtle shells.
- Step 2:
- Cut the green bell pepper and zucchini into small wedges for legs and heads.
- Step 3:
- Attach four vegetable wedges around each cucumber round with toothpicks to create legs, and a smaller wedge for the head.
- Step 4:
- Use a dab of yogurt dip to glue olive slices to the heads for eyes.
- Step 5:
- Arrange cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli, and snap peas around the turtles as a colorful crudités platter.
- Step 6:
- In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, dill, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the herb dip. Mix well.
- Step 7:
- Serve the vegetable turtles with the herb dip on the side.
Pin It This recipe has become a family favorite especially for encouraging kids to eat more vegetables.
Required Tools
Sharp knife, Cutting board, Toothpicks, Small serving bowl
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (Greek yogurt, sour cream) Check all packaged ingredients for potential allergens if in doubt
Nutritional Information
Calories 80, Total Fat 2 g, Carbohydrates 13 g, Protein 4 g per serving
Pin It Enjoy this playful and healthy appetizer at your next gathering for a guaranteed crowd pleaser
Recipe FAQs
- → How do you assemble the turtle shapes?
Slice the cucumber into thick rounds for shells. Attach bell pepper and zucchini wedges around each slice with toothpicks to create legs and heads, finishing with olive slices as eyes affixed using a dab of herb dip.
- → What ingredients enhance the herb dip’s flavor?
The dip combines Greek yogurt, sour cream, fresh dill, parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a tangy, creamy complement to the vegetables.
- → Can this platter accommodate dietary preferences?
Yes, substituting Greek yogurt and sour cream with plant-based alternatives makes the dip vegan-friendly, while the platter remains gluten-free and vegetarian.
- → How long does preparation take?
It takes about 25 minutes to prepare the vegetable shapes and mix the dip, with no cooking involved, making it a quick and easy option.
- → Are there tips to make the turtles more appealing to kids?
Using colorful vegetables and playful shapes encourages kids to enjoy fresh produce. Adding radishes or celery can enhance crunch and variety.