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Creepy Crudites Platter

October 1, 2011 by Cara

To officially kick off my month long celebration of Halloween,

I thought I would start with a platter of:

This is the perfect starter for any Halloween party.

Gross out your guests as they feast on:

Brains.

Fingers.

Eyeballs.

Blood.

Yet as grossed as they might be, they will find these appetizers refreshingly delicious.

Creepy Crudites Platter

Never before have you heard your friends say,

“I am really enjoying the way these fingers taste!”

or

“I’m sticking with the brains!”

or even,

“I didn’t know eating eyeballs could be so good for you!”

(and hopefully this will be THE only time you hear it).

This platter is so easy to make too!

Here are the simple steps to follow:

CUCUMBER EYEBALLS:

Creepy Crudites Platter

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 

  • Cucumber, sliced in big chunks, patted dry
  • Green olive, sliced
  • Tofutti cream cheese
  • natural red food coloring (made from beets)
  • toothpick

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Apply a glob of cream cheese in the middle of the cucumber and stick the olive on top.
  2. With a toothpick, carefully dip into food coloring to make lines that look like veins on the eyeballs.
CARROT FINGERS:

Creepy Crudites PlatterWHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 bag baby carrots
  • small cutting knife

DIRECTIONS:

Carefully use the knife to cut out 3 lines in the middle of the “finger” for knuckles and carve out a fingernail at the thinnest point of the carrot.

CAULIFLOWER BRAINS

Creepy Crudites PlatterWHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets, patted dry
  • natural red food coloring (beet-based)
  • toothpick

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Using the toothpick, dip in coloring make squiggly lines for the brains.
TOMBSTONE CHIPS:

Creepy Crudites Platter

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 bag corn tortillas
  • vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

If you have a tombstone cookie cutter, this will come in handy. I didn’t so I just hand carved out one and used it as my base. 

  1. Cut out tombstones from the tortillas.
  2. Heat oil in skillet on medium heat until hot. Place tortillas, batches at a time, into skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until crispy. Drain oil on a paper towel.

Place all your ingredients on a platter with a salsa-filled skull bowl and enjoy!



YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

  • Halloween GuacaMonstersHalloween GuacaMonsters
  • Guacamole Halloween BatsGuacamole Halloween Bats
  • Witchy Guacamole DipWitchy Guacamole Dip
  • Skeleton Veggie PlatterSkeleton Veggie Platter

Filed Under: Kid-Friendly Tagged With: VeganMoFo

About Cara

Based in Chicago with her husband and son, Cara is the creator behind the site Fork and Beans: A place where kids can have fun with their food.

Previous Post: « Gluten-free Vegan Cheezy Pasta
Next Post: Vampire Apple Bites »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alina

    September 29, 2014 at 5:56 am

    Hey Cara, I’m a little obsessed with your blog, truly I’m a huge fan of your creativity!
    Although here in Germany we do not celebrate Halloween as much I got inspired and I’m looking forward to host a little Halloween dinner in Berlin.
    The carrot fingers look awesome! Have you thought of adding peeled almonds as fingernails? It came to my mind when I saw your fingers. I will have to try to make the nails stick on them fingers! 😉
    Warm greetings from not-so-warm Germany! Alina

    • Cara

      September 30, 2014 at 9:04 am

      Hi Alina! First and foremost, thank you so much for the blog love. Means a great deal to me! I love that you are enjoying the Halloween stuff despite the fact that it’s not celebrated in Germany–make it a thing now!! ha. Love your idea with the almonds, that would be a GREAT addition. If you do have a Halloween dinner, send pics! xo

  2. Randi

    October 24, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    These look fab! Wondering if could make the night before for a luncheon? Wasn’t sure if blood would “spread” during fridge time……

    • Cara

      October 25, 2012 at 7:20 am

      Hi Randi! I think it would probably be best if you do the coloring the day of. Prepare everything else the night before but then give yourself 10 minutes before you need to leave to do the coloring. Good luck! xo

  3. Melissa Coburn-Taylor

    October 15, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    so, having a little trouble achieving the fantastic beet food coloring you have pictured. any hints? did you use anything to thicken it up, or just blend/food process the beet and go? i really love your blog, thank you so much for sharing your journey… we are a vegan household and take great joy in seeing more and more veg inspired peoples. you’re creativity is truly making a difference, thank you again for sharing!

    • Cara

      October 15, 2011 at 5:59 pm

      Wow, Melissa–that just brought a huge smile to my face to hear that! I so appreciate your support with this insanity others call creativity and cannot tell you how happy it makes me feel to know that others are getting a kick out of something I just love to do 🙂 Thank you just doesn’t cut it with sweet words like that…
      This is where I found the beet-based food coloring: http://www.seelecttea.com/index.php/food-color.html
      I have heard that some colorings are different and not all are made out of crushed beetles. I believe cochineal and carmine (carminic acid) are what you want to avoid if this is important to you. Red dye #40, however, is not so you could totally go with that one. Hope this helps Melissa! Best of luck, xoxo Cara

      • Alena Rose Solenne

        December 27, 2012 at 8:13 pm

        Hey Cara,
        Just wanted to give you a heads up that the link above is broken.

  4. Sarah

    October 7, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Awesome stuff! Makes me wanna host a Halloween party! 🙂 One question — is there a reason the red food coloring has to be beet-based, or is it just a personal choice? I’d like to just be able to use the stuff I’ve got on hand which is not beet-based.
    Thanks for the fun ideas!

    • Cara

      October 7, 2011 at 11:50 am

      Thanks Sarah! If you do throw a Halloween party, I wanna come 🙂 hehe. About the food coloring, use whatever you want, definitely! I put that up there to stick to the vegan dress code…

  5. erin

    October 4, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Great stuff! I’m always looking for cool/cute snacks to serve the kids. Your stuff is just what I was looking for.

    • Cara

      October 4, 2011 at 3:47 pm

      I’m so glad to hear it, Erin! I hope the kiddos like these snacks more than us adults do 🙂

  6. VeganistaMama

    October 4, 2011 at 7:56 am

    Ok, now I have to plan a halloween party so that I can make some of these. These are adorable!

    • Cara

      October 4, 2011 at 8:01 am

      If you do, you MUST invite me 🙂 I love a good party…

  7. amber @ Zombie Cats Eating Plants

    October 3, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    I’m loving all of your spooky posts. This is super cute. I want to eat some fingers!

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      Words to live by: I want to eat some fingers! haha. I love it 🙂 Thank you Amber for the kind words…

  8. saucy coconut

    October 3, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    Incredibly cute and creative!

  9. caroline m.

    October 3, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    super cute! i’m excited to bring these to a halloween party!

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 5:55 pm

      I hope they all get a kick out of them at your party, Caroline!

  10. ameyfm

    October 3, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    those cauliflower brains are off the charts. so cool!

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 4:15 pm

      They are pretty fun to make! Thank you 🙂

  11. GiGi Anber

    October 3, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    You are welcome, Cara. Yes, splurge on a delicacy, no less!

  12. GiGi

    October 3, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Freakishly clever. I love vegan eyeballs 🙂 Bahahaha. Great and ghoulash post.

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Who doesn’t dine on occasion on a vegan eyeball? I mean, you gotta splurge a little right? hehe. Thank you GiGi!

  13. MarMarVintage (@marmarvintage)

    October 3, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Oh my god.. this plate would be perfect for my Halloween party later this month… I love how you use simple list of steps for non cook like myself:)

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 10:23 am

      Ooooh, a party! I wanna come 🙂 hehe. You will be getting compliments to the unchef for this one!

  14. Kristi Arnold

    October 3, 2011 at 7:21 am

    Wow. Seriously creative and delicious. Halloween is my favorite holiday, we’ll have to make these. Thanks for sharing.

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 10:22 am

      Ahhh, it is my favorite too (hence my tendency to go overboard with this month!) Glad you like the platter 🙂

  15. B_A_D (@B_A_D)

    October 2, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    This is amazingly adorable! I noticed this on Find Vegan tumblr a while back, Brilliant!!

    • Cara

      October 3, 2011 at 5:50 am

      Thank you so much! I am so glad that you were as entertained by it as I was 🙂

  16. Jenny

    October 2, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    I haven’t seen these ideas before; so fun! Looking forward to your theme.

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 8:33 pm

      Thank you Jenny! I look forward to hosting this Halloween party for ya 🙂

  17. celyn

    October 2, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    These are so awesome!

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 7:24 pm

      Thank you Celyn 🙂

  18. leslie

    October 2, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    You are awesome!!! I love these snacks 🙂

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 7:08 pm

      Oh Leslie, you are making me blush–thank you!

  19. Elisabeth @CzechVegan

    October 2, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    I love it! So creepy and cool looking! You have some awesome ideas, I need to follow your blog 🙂

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 7:08 pm

      Thank you Elisabeth. I’m so glad that you like what you see here 🙂 Come follow, yes! ha

  20. Becky

    October 2, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Oh my! My birthday is Halloween, and THIS party food makes me smile ^_^

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 7:07 pm

      Then we are going to throw you the best birthday Halloween bash online, Becky!

  21. Mo

    October 2, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    How adorable is this?! I love it!

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 5:46 pm

      Thank you so much Mo! xoxo

  22. mollyjade

    October 2, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    The nail on the carrot fingers makes it so creepy! My work makes a big deal of Halloween, so I’m keeping an eye on you.

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 5:46 pm

      Stick with me, Molly Jade, I will be your Halloween guru 🙂

  23. Mom

    October 2, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Who could ask for more….This looks like a party – what a imaginiation, sooooo cute!

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 2:32 pm

      It must run in the family…

  24. boychucker

    October 2, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    That is a party I want to go to! I think the cauli brains are my favorite, but it is tough to choose from so many amazing options. I can’t wait to see what else you do.

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 2:31 pm

      I think it the brains are my fav too! I guess I should now actually have a party, huh? ha! Thank you for the comment!

  25. Megan

    October 2, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    So cute!! I’ll have to do this- all but the eyeballs, I’m not a fan of olives, nor do I care much for vegan dairy products, but I love the fingers and brains!

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 2:30 pm

      I’m with you on the vegan dairy products! I use them sparingly–they are just nice to know you have that option, you know? 🙂 ha. Enjoy the brains and fingers. hehe

  26. sara

    October 2, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Awesome! Can’t wait to see what other Halloween goodies you’ll come up with.

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 8:53 am

      I am losing sleep already with ideas 🙂 It’s already driving me nutso but I love it. Thanks for the comment love, Sara! xoxo, Cara

  27. Jeni Treehugger

    October 2, 2011 at 6:51 am

    These are so AWESOME!!!
    Happy MoFo’ing
    🙂

    • Cara

      October 2, 2011 at 8:48 am

      Thank you Jeni! Happy MoFo’ing to you as well 🙂

  28. andi

    October 1, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Okay, that platter looks awesome. Love the cauli brains!

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 5:01 pm

      Those are fun, aren’t they? Ha! They are fun to make as well. Thank you so much for checking them out, Andi!

  29. Katie

    October 1, 2011 at 10:09 am

    This is awesome! I’m doing a horror movie themed MoFo, i’m going to keep my eye on your blog so I can link to some of your recipes.

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 10:16 am

      I love that idea, Katie! I will keep my eye on your blog as well…. Can’t wait to see what you have a’brewin’ 🙂

  30. jd

    October 1, 2011 at 9:39 am

    Yoza, those are DEFINITELY creepy! Love it.

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 10:16 am

      Thanks JD 🙂

  31. Vivian Cutler

    October 1, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Wow!!! How did you do that lettering? So Very Cool!!!

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 10:16 am

      From my best friend picnik.com!

  32. Vivian Cutler

    October 1, 2011 at 9:21 am

    So Very Creative!!! What a Great Way to Start off October!!!! I am Ready Now for Halloween!!! Love All of these Dishes!!! Wonderful Job!!! Hugs Viv

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 10:17 am

      I’ve been ready for Halloween since last month; I can’t stand it! I’m peeing my pants with excitement 🙂

  33. kathy

    October 1, 2011 at 9:00 am

    so cute!! and creative. Bravo.

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 10:17 am

      Thank you Kathy!! xoxo

  34. the sister

    October 1, 2011 at 7:11 am

    ohmygauw!!!! dude! could you be any more creative????? sheesh. you should get paid for this….here’s five bucks. i’m broke. wish it was more!! love you sissy!

    • Cara

      October 1, 2011 at 7:22 am

      I actually owe YOU money so save your 5 bucks 🙂 haha. Thanks sissy! You are the best 🙂

Primary Sidebar

Welcome, I’m Cara! At Fork and Beans you will find creativity at every corner. From snack ideas, to holiday fun–even crafts and activities to do with your kids. If you are a parent (or just love fun food), you’ve come to the right spot! Come check out the latest idea I’ve made for my family and stay awhile, won’t you?

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