1cupbroccoli florets, blanched (see NOTES below) and dried
assortment of bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green), sliced
cucumbers, sliced
snap peas
1cupsliced carrot sticks
Instructions
Place tomatoes in a star-shaped bowl at the top of the platter. Or, if you don't have a star-shaped bowl, place the tomatoes onto the platter to form either a star shape, ribbon shape, or to form the top triangle of the tree.
In the next row, place the broccoli immediately beneath the tomatoes to form a row.
Below the broccoli, place the red, yellow, and orange bell pepper slices to form a row that extends in width just slightly beyond each side of the broccoli row.
Below the bell peppers, place the green bell peppers, cucumber slices, and snap peas to form a tight row that extends just slightly beyond each side of the bell pepper row.
Make-ahead tip: You can slice the veggies ahead of time. Then place into FoodSaver Preserve and Marinate Containers or Vacuum Bags and seal using your FoodSaver Multi-Use Handheld Vacuum Sealer. This helps the veggies stay fresh longer! When ready to use, simply open the bags or containers and assemble according to recipe directions. Broccoli tip: Cruciferous veggies like broccoli can emit gasses when stored, so it's best to blanch broccoli florets, then dry them completely before vacuum sealing. To blanch: bring water to a boil in a large pot, add the broccoli and blanch for 3 minutes, then drain the water and submerge broccoli into an ice bath or bowl of very cold water, then dry broccoli completely before vacuum sealing and storing. Veggie options This recipe is meant to be a guide to help you create a fun and festive Christmas veggie tray! Feel free to substitute in other veggies, such as zucchini or green beans. You can create an even more "tree-like" scene by threading in strands of rosemary branches throughout. And also feel free to make it a fruit and veggie tray, with berries, pineapple, melon, and cranberries for a festive touch!