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Spooky Easy Halloween Veggie Spider Web Tray: Best Party Appetizer

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A spooky and easy Halloween veggie tray featuring a black sesame spider web drizzled over hummus, surrounded by colorful fresh vegetables. Perfect for parties, it comes together in under 15 minutes and is naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large round platter or cutting board (at least 12 inches in diameter)
  • 1 cup hummus (plain or roasted red pepper)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber slices, cut into rounds or half-moons
  • 1 cup celery sticks, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 1 cup snap peas or sugar snap peas (optional)
  • 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • Optional: black olives, sliced (for making spider shapes)
  • 3 tablespoons black sesame paste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)
  • 1–2 teaspoons water (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prep your vegetables: Wash and dry all veggies thoroughly. Slice bell peppers into thin strips, cucumbers into rounds or half-moons, celery into 3-inch pieces. Break broccoli and cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Halve cherry tomatoes. Arrange in small piles near your work station.
  2. Spread the hummus: Spoon hummus into the center of a large round platter. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread it into a circle about 6-8 inches in diameter, about 1/4-inch thick.
  3. Mix the black sesame drizzle: In a small bowl, combine black sesame paste, olive oil, and maple syrup or honey (if using). Whisk until smooth. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until it reaches a consistency similar to warm honey.
  4. Fill the squeeze bottle: Carefully pour the black sesame mixture into a squeeze bottle with a fine tip. Test the flow on a paper towel—it should produce a thin, steady line.
  5. Draw the web: Starting from the center of the hummus circle, squeeze a spiral of black sesame paste outward, covering the entire hummus circle with lines about an inch apart.
  6. Drag the web lines: Place a toothpick or skewer in the center of the spiral. Gently drag it outward toward the edge of the hummus circle in a straight line. Repeat every inch or so around the entire circle to create 8-12 spokes.
  7. Arrange the veggies: Place vegetable pieces around the outer edge of the platter, tucking them under the edges of the hummus circle. Arrange in groups by color, leaving space for the web to show through.
  8. Add the spiders (optional): Slice black olives in half lengthwise for bodies. Cut thin strips from another olive for legs—four on each side. Place a few olive spiders crawling across the web or climbing up broccoli.
  9. Serve immediately or refrigerate: Best served within an hour of assembly. If making ahead, prep veggies and drizzle separately; assemble just before serving.

Notes

For best results, let hummus come to room temperature before spreading. Keep veggies dry to prevent the hummus from sliding. Practice the spiral and drag technique on a plate first. The black sesame drizzle can be made ahead and stored in the fridge; let it come to room temperature before using. If you don’t have a squeeze bottle, use a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween appetizer, veggie tray, spider web, black sesame, party snack, easy appetizer, vegan, gluten-free

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/spooky-easy-halloween-veggie-spider-web-tray-best-party-appetizer/