How to Create the Perfect Salumi (Italian Charcuterie) Board for the Holidays

TIPS, TRICKS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAKING THE BEST SALUMI BOARD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON USING ITALIAN CURED MEATS AND CHEESES

The only way to please everyone in the room this holiday season is to show up with a salumi (Italian charcuterie) board. Charcuterie is French for cured meats, while salumi is the Italian iteration. A salumi board has all the antipasti-style finger foods of a charcuterie board — we simply want to introduce America to all things Italian. Salumi (Italian charcuterie) boards combine savory, sweet, and crunchy on one platter, elevating simple bite-size snacks. Turning a regular snack board into a salumi (Italian charcuterie) board can easily transform uninspiring ideas into the perfect holiday dish with seasonal additions and arrangements. Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, a salumi board will elevate any family or friend affair!

Arrange the Salumi (Italian Charcuterie) Board into a Holiday-Themed Shape

Changing the layout of a salumi (Italian charcuterie) board is one of the easiest ways to transform it for the holidays. Some popular arrangements include a Christmas tree, a wreath, or even the New Year's numbers. No new dishes or boards are necessary. Simply arrange the meats, cheeses, and treats in the desired holiday-themed shape.

Choose Hard and Soft Italian Cheeses for a Holiday Salumi (Italian Charcuterie) Board

Combining hard and soft cheeses will create the ideal salumi (Italian charcuterie) board. Popular savory Italian soft cheeses include mozzarella and gorgonzola. Italian mascarpone and ricotta soft cheeses pair well with sweets. Parmigiano and pecorino are well-loved savory hard cheeses. When shopping for cheese, plan for each guest to eat about two to three ounces. Choose blocks of fresh cheese, not pre-cut. Pre-sliced cheese can be more expensive and less fresh. Cut the hard cheese into festive shapes like stars to add extra holiday cheer to the salumi (Italian charcuterie) board.

Select Italian Cured Meats for a Holiday Salumi (Italian Charcuterie) Board

Most charcuterie boards include three to five different meats, but a salumi board has no limit. Prosciutto, pepperoni, and salami are popular on both salumi and charcuterie boards. For something different, choose Capocollo or Soppressata. While shopping, avoid pre-cut salumi and choose brands like Gemma Salumi with wholesome cuts and clean ingredients. Each guest will likely eat between three to five slices of salumi. When assembling, fold or fan meat slices neatly for added color and texture on the salumi (Italian charcuterie) board.

Add Holiday-Themed Sweets and Fruit to the Salumi (Italian Charcuterie) Board

The best salumi (Italian charcuterie) boards balance savory and sweet. Traditionally, people place fresh fruit, dried fruit, chocolate, and tiny sweet treats on charcuterie boards. Many opt for ginger snaps, candied cranberries, caramel popcorn, and even pomegranate during the holidays.

Embellish the Salumi (Italian Charcuterie) Board with In-Season Herbs and Spices

Final touches make even the simplest salumi (Italian charcuterie) boards pop for the holidays. Fill in the empty spaces with bright colors by adding sprigs of rosemary or thyme and cinnamon sticks. Sprinkle some edible glitter to add a festive flair, especially for New Year’s Eve.

Gemma Salumi: A Curated Taste of Italian Tradition

Gemma Salumi crafts the finest salumi products with heirloom recipes, wholesome prime cuts, and clean ingredients. Our culinary legacy began with our ancestors in Agerola, Italy, and lives on in New England through our family’s culinary brand, Salumificio G.B. For generations, our Italian family used the craft of salumi to preserve their meat, now we’re sharing it with the United States. Family traditions and Italian heritage season every Gemma Salumi recipe, keeping customers hungry for more.