skellie veggie tray

Ingredients

• 1 jicama, peeled

• 1 head of cauliflower florets

• 1 red pepper, sliced

• 1 orange pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow pepper, sliced

• 24 green beans

• 2 cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 zucchini, sliced

• 1 carrot, sliced

• 5 broccoli florets

• 1 mushroom, sliced

• 2 black olives, 1 sliced, 1 diced

• 1/4 cup arugula

• 1 cup hummus (for dipping)

• 1 medium pumpkin (optional)
  

Directions

1. Skull

   Pick a platter for the background. Cut peeled jicama in half. Using the peeler, peel the sides of the jicama until it is pear shaped. The wider end will be the top of the skull. It should be full and rounded. Start narrowing the sides about half way down and round off the bottom. This will be the jaw. The narrow end is the jaw of the skull. Carve a flat spot near the bottom for the mouth. Carve two flat spots near the top for eyes. Place the skull at the top of the platter.
   

2. Spine

   For the spine, arrange cauliflower florets in a row under the skull. Pile red, orange, and yellow pepper slices on either side of the cauliflower for ribs.

   
   

3. Arms and hands

   Stack 3 beans on each side for upper arms. Stack 3 more on each side for lower arms. Put a cherry tomato half on each side between the upper and lower stacks for elbows. Add zucchini slices for palms. Make fingers out of carrot slices.
   

4. The rest of the body

   Arrange 5 broccoli florets at the bottom of the spine for hips. Make upper legs by stacking 3 green beans on each side of the broccoli. Make lower legs by stacking 3 green beans on each side below the upper legs. For knees place half a cherry tomato between the stacks on each side. For feet cut a mushroom slice in half.
   

5. Face and hair

   Put round slices of olive on jicama for eyes. Add diced olive for the nose and teeth. Arrange arugula under the jicama for spooky hair. Serve with multiple veggie dips!

Health Benefits

Broccoli

• Rich in Vitamin C & K → Supports immunity, collagen formation, and bone health.

• High in Fiber → Promotes satiety, digestive health, and stable blood sugars.

• Contains Sulforaphane → A compound studied for its antioxidant and anti-cancer potential.

• Supports Eye Health → Contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which may protect against age-related macular degeneration.

Cauliflower

• Low-Carb Swap → A versatile alternative to rice, potatoes, or pizza crust for those limiting carbohydrates.

• Supports Detoxification → Contains compounds that help the liver process and eliminate toxins.

• Vitamin-Rich → Provides vitamin C, B vitamins (especially folate), and choline for brain health.

• Gut-Friendly → High fiber content supports a healthy microbiome and digestive system.

🎃 Fun Facts

🥦 Broccoli

• Originated in Italy over 2,000 years ago and was considered a delicacy by the Romans.

• The word “broccoli” comes from the Italian word broccolo, meaning “the flowering crest of a cabbage.”

• Eating broccoli raw preserves more vitamin C, but steaming lightly helps unlock its powerful antioxidants.

🌱 Cauliflower

• Comes in more than just white—there are purple, orange, and green varieties (yes, “green cauliflower” is called broccoflower!).

• Purple cauliflower gets its color from anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries.

• In the 1500s, cauliflower was considered an exotic luxury in Europe and was often reserved for royalty.

Yours in health,

The Crystal Coast Wellness and Performance Family