How to Load Up a Holiday Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board loaded with savory and sweet elements like meats, cheeses, and jams is always a show-stopper for holiday entertaining. This year, load up your holiday board with some local favorites. — Julia Mullaney
✅ MOUNT OLIVE CURED MEATS
It’s not a charcuterie board without the meat, right? Fratelli Beretta started in Italy in 1812 and made its way to New Jersey in 1997. Today, the brand pays homage to its Mount Olive headquarters with its line of Mount Olive prosciutto, soppressata, and salami, among other varieties. Each meat helps to create that salty flavor profile your holiday board needs; plus, it’s available at most major grocery stores.
Fratelli Beretta
fratelliberettausa.com
✅ BUTTERCUP BRIE
Brie is an essential part of any charcuterie board; its creamy, decadent notes pair perfectly with those sweet figs or dried cranberry garnishes. Cherry Grove Farm’s Buttercup Brie is aged up to eight weeks and offers a rich, earthy flavor with notes of mushrooms and citrus. It’s an American Cheese Society Blue Ribbon winner and perfectly complements a glass of cider during those cozy winter months.
Cherry Grove Farm
3200 Lawrenceville Rd.
609.219.0053
cherrygrovefarm.com
✅ PEPATO SHEPHERD
This sheep-milk cheese—an American Cheese Society winner from Valley Shepherd Creamery—looks just as delicious as it tastes. Peppercorns are infused throughout, giving it subtly spicy notes in contrast to its buttery, salty flavor, and its earthy appearance makes for a pleasant visual atop your holiday board.
Valley Shepherd Creamery
50 Fairmount Rd., Long Valley
908.876.3200
valleyshepherd.com
✅ JELLIES AND JAMS
Whether you’re looking for a sweet berry blend or a spicy hot pepper jam, Jalma Farms in Ocean View has a variety that works for any and all cheeses and meats. Jalma is known for its aronia berries—which are similar in appearance to blueberries but richer in antioxidants and a bit more tart—and boasts the largest aronia berry farm in the state. Try sampling their aronia berry jam (there’s a spicy version, too).
Jalma Farms
609.412.3123
jalmafarms.com
✅ FRESH-BAKED FRENCH BAGUETTE
Anthony & Sons Bakery has locations in Denville and Succasunna and also ships, meaning you can toast up one of their French baguettes no matter where you are in the Garden State. Thinly slice it, then crisp it in the oven for an ideal accompaniment to those cheeses, meats, and sweets on your charcuterie board.
Anthony & Sons Bakery
20 Luger Rd. Denville
15 Rte. 10 E., Succasunna
973.625.2323 |
973.970.9191
anthonyandsonsbakery.com
✅ BUY THE BOARD
If you’re swamped during the holidays, there are plenty of charcuterie board companies that will do the work for you. Order a pre-made board from one of several spots around the state: Butler and the Board in Montclair offers boards for local pickup, while Grazing Affair in Medford will deliver your board within 30 minutes of your party (or set it up there, depending on size). In Haddon, Board Catering specializes in creating boards for crowds—perfect for your holiday gathering. Or consult Nicole Ross, owner of Nicole Lin Designs, who would be happy to help you customize a board for any occasion.
Butler and the Board
103 Forest St., Montclair
butlerandtheboard.com
Grazing Affair
5 S. Main St., Medford
609.975.8069
grazingaffair.com
Board Catering
1001 White Horse Pike, Haddon
856.656.4484
boardcatering.com
Nicole Lin Designs
instagram.com/nicolelindesigns
