A Salami Rose

Check out this simple tutorial on how to make Salami Rose in minutes with just a wine or champagne glass. We have included detailed step-by-step instructions and a few ideas to make them even prettier. They are the reliable edible ornaments to jazz up your grazing table this holiday season!

Holiday Food Boards

We love making charcuterie boards for different occasions and holidays! Our Thanksgiving Brunch and Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Boards are always a hit with guests. They are speedy, festive and so much fun to assemble. With the usual suspects of cheese cuts, berries, fruits, chocolates, biscuits, crackers, candies, dips, and cold cuts- you can transform a simple wooden platter into a culinary masterpiece! But just like any other way of presenting food, assembling a charcuterie board requires art and creativity. You have to consider color, texture, shape, and size when putting it all together.

Fruits, berries, cheese, and sweets are simple, they have bright colors and interesting textures that make for simple placement. And as long as you have beautiful bowls, dips are a breeze too. Meats? Not so much. However, deli meats and cold cuts, with their pretty pink and red hues are just begging for a touch of imagination. And this is where making Salami Roses come in. So, say goodbye to boring, lined-up meat platters and start giving them a rosy flair!

What is a Salami Rose?

This is a fun technique for turning salami cuts into a gorgeous flower shape. There are several methods to achieve this, but we find that using glass is the easiest way to do it. You can also try this method with other meat cuts for variation.

What You’ll Need

It is surprisingly simple to make a fancy meat flower- all you need are 2 things- salami cuts and a glass. No need for sticks or twines at all— the flowers will hold their shape without them.

• Salami– sliced thinly and evenly. You can also use Chorizo, Soperessta, Pepperoni, or any round deli meat you have. We highly recommend using Creminelli Fine Meats. Their artisan meats are a favorite and make for savory additions to any charcuterie board.
• Glass- the shape of the glass would affect the outcome of the rose. Since wine glasses have wider rims, you’ll end up with bigger flowers compared to champagne flutes. Use ones with curved bowls to give the meat petals a realistic appearance.

Styling and Add-on Ideas!

While the salami roses are as pretty as can be, a few embellishments would not go amiss! Here are some styling ideas to amp them up!

• JUICI Apples from Starr Ranch Growers – These lifestyle apples are sweet and tart and will add a burst of color + crunch to your board.

• Basil or Mint leaves- place these below the roses to give them a more enticing, natural look! You can also use rosemary or thyme sprigs.
• Cheese- place thin slices of cheese in between the petals for more color and texture.
• Crystal bowls- place the salami roses in small crystal bowls for a dash of elegance.
• Cupcake liners- if you are planning to serve them as appetizers, place them in cute cupcake/muffin liners so your guest can easily carry them around.
• Justin’s – Their assortment of nut butter cups would add a touch of all natural sweetness to your charcuterie board. Highly recommend their Mini Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do we need to cook the salami first? No need, they are pre-cooked and ready to eat when you purchase them.
2. Can we use other types of cured meat that are not sausages? Absolutely! All you have to do is to shape them in circles using a cookie cutter. This will give you more options to make a meat flower.
3. How many slices do we need to make one rose? It depends on the size of the glass, the size of the slices, or how big you want the flower to be.
4. Can we make them ahead of time? Sure, keep them on the glass, wrap the meat in plastic wrap and keep them chilled overnight.