On the Board

A cheese and charcuterie board is a great way to start a meal, end a meal or set out as a snack at any time. There’s no recipe required and no wrong way to set it up! We love creating a colorful, flavorful spread that invites everyone to create their own bites. Farmstead Manager Dustin Busby has great tips for laying out a board full of flavor that anyone will enjoy.

Remember to set the platter out at least 30 minutes before you want it enjoyed so the cheeses can come to room temperature for best flavor. Variety is key, so have fun with shapes, sizes, flavors and colors!

CHECK YOUR QUANTITIES

Cheese – As a general rule, it’s good to lay out three to five different cheeses and have three to four ounces of cheese per guest.

Charcuterie – Choose three varieties of meat and allocate one to two ounces per person.

Jams or Preserves – Pick one to three jams, aiming for a range in color and flavor.

Fruits and Vegetables – If you’re sticking to pickled elements, choose one to two pickled options. But raw fruits and vegetables are a great way brighten up a board. Mix in two to three raw elements if you’re looking for some brightness on the spread.

Crackers – Set out one to three types of crackers and bread to diversify the options for a base. Set some out to fill the board, and keep the rest of your package to refill as needed.

MIX YOUR FLAVORS

Cheese – Use both hard and soft cheeses so you can enjoy a variety of texture and flavor. If you ask Dustin, Blackberry’s Brebis is a must.

Charcuterie – Have a whole muscle cure like our Appalachian Coppa. Mix that with salami varieties like Sopressata and Finocchiona. For a more unexpected texture, put Sobrasada on your board – it’s a spreadable sausage.

Jams or Preserves – Go for a mix of sweet and savory! Some of our favorite savory choices are Smoked Onion Jam, Bacon Jam and, for a more surprising add, Jowl Jam. With your sweet jams, it’s great to have a classic like Blackberry Jam or Strawberry Jam paired with something a little more unique like Pumpkin and Pear Butter.

Fruits and Vegetables – Sliced apples and fresh berries are great additions to brighten up a cheese platter. Raw vegetables like carrots snap peas are easy to grab and also add a great crunch to the tray. For pickled favorites, Pickled Okra or Pickled Ramps are great for putting a taste of the Garden into the mix.

Crackers – Have both crispy crackers and softer bread slices. With the crackers, you can create a variety of flavors by having a simple, salted cracker, a multi-grain option and even a flavored option with garlic or herbs baked in.

Find delicious Blackberry Farm ingredients to fill your cheese and charcuterie platter at blackberryfarmshop.com!