Slow Savory Turtle Platter

Featured in: Easy Comfort Recipes

Craft a playful appetizer by slicing cucumbers into rounds to form turtle shells and using bell pepper and zucchini wedges for legs and heads. Secure with toothpicks and add olive slices as eyes with a dab of creamy herb dip. Surround with colorful cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli, and snap peas to complete the platter. The herb dip, made with Greek yogurt, sour cream, fresh dill, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice, adds a fresh, tangy complement. This easy, no-cook arrangement encourages vegetable enjoyment in a fun and interactive way.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:51:00 GMT
Whimsical Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités arranged with colorful veggies, ready to dip in creamy herb sauce. Save to Pins
Whimsical Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités arranged with colorful veggies, ready to dip in creamy herb sauce. | spicra.com

A whimsical, charming platter featuring fresh vegetables artfully arranged to resemble turtles&mdash perfect for parties, kids, or adding fun to any appetizer spread. Served with a creamy herb dip.

A fun, interactive way to encourage kids to enjoy vegetables

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 1 large cucumber, 1 green bell pepper, 8 cherry tomatoes, 1 small zucchini, 12 baby carrots, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup snap peas
  • Herb Dip: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Garnishes & Assembly: 8 black olive slices (for eyes), 8 toothpicks

Instructions

Step 1:
Slice the cucumber into 1/2 inch thick rounds&mdash these will form the turtle shells.
Step 2:
Cut the green bell pepper and zucchini into small wedges for legs and heads.
Step 3:
Attach four vegetable wedges around each cucumber round with toothpicks to create legs, and a smaller wedge for the head.
Step 4:
Use a dab of yogurt dip to glue olive slices to the heads for eyes.
Step 5:
Arrange cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli, and snap peas around the turtles as a colorful crudités platter.
Step 6:
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, dill, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the herb dip. Mix well.
Step 7:
Serve the vegetable turtles with the herb dip on the side.
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| spicra.com

A fun, interactive way to encourage kids to enjoy vegetables

Required Tools

Sharp knife, Cutting board, Toothpicks, Small serving bowl

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (Greek yogurt, sour cream) Check all packaged ingredients for potential allergens if in doubt

Nutritional Information

Calories 80, Total Fat 2 g, Carbohydrates 13 g, Protein 4 g

Fresh Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités: cucumber turtle shells surrounded by vibrant broccoli, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Save to Pins
Fresh Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités: cucumber turtle shells surrounded by vibrant broccoli, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. | spicra.com

This appetizer is sure to delight guests and bring a playful touch to any gathering

Questions & Answers

How do I assemble the vegetable turtles?

Slice cucumbers into rounds for the shells, attach bell pepper and zucchini wedges with toothpicks for legs and heads, and glue olive slices as eyes using a bit of herb dip.

Can I make the herb dip vegan?

Yes, substitute Greek yogurt and sour cream with your preferred dairy-free alternatives to keep the dip creamy and flavorful.

What vegetables work well for this platter?

Cucumbers, green bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas create a colorful, fresh arrangement.

How long does preparation take?

The entire assembly can be completed in about 25 minutes without any cooking required.

What are good garnish options for extra crunch?

Adding radishes or celery pieces enhances texture and adds vibrant color to the platter.

Slow Savory Turtle Platter

Fresh vegetables arranged as turtles with creamy herb dip, perfect for parties and kids.

Prep Time
25 min
0
Overall Time
25 min
Recipe by spicra Olivia Carter

Dish Category Easy Comfort Recipes

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Makes 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly, Free of Gluten

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 1 large cucumber
02 1 green bell pepper
03 8 cherry tomatoes
04 1 small zucchini
05 12 baby carrots
06 1 cup broccoli florets
07 1 cup snap peas

Herb Dip

01 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
02 1/4 cup sour cream
03 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
04 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
05 1 clove garlic, minced
06 1 teaspoon lemon juice
07 Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnishes & Assembly

01 8 black olive slices for eyes
02 8 toothpicks

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Prepare cucumber shells: Slice the cucumber into 1/2-inch thick rounds to serve as turtle shells.

Step 02

Cut vegetable wedges: Slice the green bell pepper and zucchini into small wedges to mimic legs and heads.

Step 03

Assemble turtles: Attach four vegetable wedges around each cucumber round using toothpicks to form legs and secure one smaller wedge as the head.

Step 04

Add eyes: Use a small amount of yogurt dip to adhere black olive slices onto the heads as eyes.

Step 05

Arrange crudités: Place cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas artistically around the turtles to complete the platter.

Step 06

Prepare herb dip: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, dill, parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then mix thoroughly.

Step 07

Serve: Present the vegetable turtles alongside the herb dip for dipping.

Necessary Tools

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Toothpicks
  • Small serving bowl

Allergy Details

Go through each ingredient to spot allergens. If unsure, reach out to a healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy from Greek yogurt and sour cream.
  • Verify all packaged ingredients for additional allergen risks.

Nutrition Info (each portion)

For informational use only—please talk to your doctor for health advice.
  • Calorie Count: 80
  • Fats: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Proteins: 4 g