Looking for something fun to serve to the armchair quarterbacks during this week’s game? Marinated Cheese, Sausage, & Veggies is a perfect snack food, since it can be made ahead, it’s loaded with hearty chunks of non-fru-fru things like salami or sausage, cheese, and olives, and it’s served with skewers so there’s something to do if the favorite team isn’t winning.

Actually, any kind of cured sausage and cheese can be used, including the popular designer sausages (which are even better grilled before adding to the marinade); the official Hancock tasters especially like spicy sausages like Polish or Linguica, salami, and pepper-jack cheese. Both Mozzarella or Provolone cheese are also good. Roasted red, green, and/or yellow pepper chunks as well as roasted onion chunks can also be added.

Don’t reserve this colorful appetizer just for game day – it’s also nice on an appetizer buffet table any time of year. Serve it with crispy breadsticks, crackers, or bread squares.


12 Servings

8 ounces pepper jack cheese, cut into 1/2" chunks, or Provolone, Mozzarella, or other favorite cheese
8 ounces salami, pepperoni, Polish sausages, or other favorite fully-cooked sausage cut into 1/2” chunks.
1 medium zucchini, cut into sticks about 2" long
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, halved if small; quartered if large
1 cup pimento stuffed green olives, well-drained

Dressing
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 1/2 cups cherry tomato(s), halved

1. Place the cheese, sausages, zucchini, mushrooms, and green olives in a large Ziploc-type bag.


2. Measure the dressing ingredients into the blender; blend well and pour over the cheese, sausage, and vegetables in the bag.


3. Seal and refrigerate 6-24 hours.


4. When ready to serve, fold in the cherry tomatoes and place in a serving bowl.


5. Serve with skewers or toothpicks and crackers.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 210 Calories from Fat 161
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 76% Protein 14% Carb. 6%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 18 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Cholesterol 25 mg
Sodium 484 mg
Total Carbohydrate 3 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 7 g

Vitamin A 11% Vitamin C 14% Calcium 0% Iron 6%