Roman Colosseum Snack Platter (Printable View)

A circular snack arrangement with layered crackers and mixed olives as the centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers

01 - 3.5 to 4.2 oz round or oval crackers (40 to 50 pieces)

→ Gladiators

02 - 1 cup (5.3 oz) mixed olives, pitted (green and black)

→ Garnishes

03 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
04 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional, for drizzling)

→ Accompaniments

05 - 1.8 oz cubed cheese (such as aged provolone or mozzarella, optional)
06 - 1.8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Choose a large, round serving platter or board to represent the Colosseum base.
02 - Arrange the crackers upright or slightly overlapping in concentric circles around the edge of the platter to mimic the tiered seating of the Colosseum. Build two or three layers if space allows.
03 - Place the mixed olives in a mound at the center of the platter to represent the gladiators in the arena.
04 - If desired, add cubed cheese and cherry tomatoes around the olives for extra color and flavor.
05 - Sprinkle chopped parsley over the olives and drizzle with olive oil, if using.
06 - Serve immediately as a fun, interactive centerpiece for your gathering.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks far more impressive than the 15 minutes it takes to assemble.
  • You can prep everything ahead and let guests arrange it themselves for interactive fun.
  • The combination of salty olives, crispy crackers, and optional cheese hits every flavor note without any cooking required.
02 -
  • Arrange your platter no more than 30 minutes before serving, or the crackers will start absorbing humidity and lose that essential snap.
  • If you're making this hours ahead, keep the crackers and other components separate and assemble just before guests arrive for maximum impact.
03 -
  • Use a mix of olive sizes and shapes for more visual interest—Kalamata olives look distinctly different from Castelvetrano, and that variety keeps the eye engaged.
  • If crackers start going soft before serving, keep them in a sealed container and add them to the platter just moments before guests arrive.
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