Five Grape Appetizer Recipes

For parties and to celebrate the New Year I tend to gravitate towards appetizer dishes. The season of California grapes runs from May through January and I have selected my favorite appetizers to celebrate the New Year with grapes.

This post is sponsored by my friends at the California Table Grape Commission. 

Grab a bag or two of green, red, or black grapes. One bag of grapes is to make any one of these five easy appetizer recipes from the California Table Grape Commission and the other one is for New Years’ countdown. It is a sweet New Year’s tradition to eat grapes for good luck. It is a fun and healthy tradition that I hope my children will follow.

At the end of the year, I start brainstorming the menu and appetizers that I will make for New Years. Whether you plan ahead of time or not, these appetizers made with California grapes are perfect to assemble at the last minute or even transport to a party. They can also be served as a snack throughout the night or with a meal.

Why I love grapes!

The reason I chose grapes is because of their delicate sweet flavor that goes well in savory and sweet dishes. Grapes are my go-to snack and sweet for desserts. Once you experiment with the flavor of grapes in savory dishes, you will enjoy their versatility with other recipes.

In addition, grapes have natural compounds known as polyphenols that help contribute to a healthy heart by promoting the relaxation of blood vessels to help maintain healthy blood flow and function.  In addition to heart health, grape polyphenols may play a role in healthy aging, including brain and colon health.

In addition to their healthy attributes, adding grapes to your menu adds vibrant color and a juicy burst of flavor!

Here is a list of five appetizer recipes with grapes.

Sweet and spicy nachos

This is one of the recipes that I created and it’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy that are made for each other. In every bite, you will want more grapes, sauce, and a crispy chip. The sweet flavor of grapes and the spicy flavor of the sauce is what makes these nachos perfect for a party. I love grapes in this traditional dish. Check out the video for this recipe.

grape Caprese salad hors D’oeuvres

This appetizer replaces traditional tomatoes with grapes for a refreshing twist.  Grapes pair beautifully with mozzarella and basil leaves, and it is quick and easy. Get small skewers and add more grapes if you like. If you are running out of time, prepare a grape and cheese platter. This is popular for holiday parties.

Grape and prosciutto appetizers

This quick crunchy appetizer is ready in no time. Just slice a baguette, spread goat cheese, add prosciutto, and top with warm grapes. My husband makes sourdough bread, and this is the perfect appetizer for my family. There is something about bread, cheese, and fruit that will have you saying, “Oh yes, give me some”.

Fresh grape salsa

This salsa made with grapes instead of tomatoes is a good-looking dish and a refreshing appetizer. Some people will want the recipe and you will be telling them that it is pretty much grapes, chiles, cilantro, green onions, and a pinch of salt. This salsa is a crowd pleaser so make sure to enjoy a couple of bites before it disappears.

Turkey and grape empanada cups

Another one of my own recipes that I like so much because I don’t have to go thru the trouble of closing the empanadas. I prepare the empanada dough ahead of time. Then the rest is easy, fill each empanada shell with a mixture of ground turkey and grapes. The grapes add this sweet and juicy flavor to the filling. Top with more grapes and just reheat before you serve. Check out the video for this recipe.

Find these and other delicious recipes at Grapes from California website.

A final idea is to freeze some of the grapes in a single layer for an hour and serve your beverages with these grapes. The frozen grapes will keep your drinks cold and they will be fun to eat.

Tonight while I decorate and set the table with some of these appetizers, I have to leave some room for a big plate of fresh grapes for the countdown. This time-honored tradition – eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight – is my way to savor the last moment of the year. I am creating memories for the family and promoting a healthy tradition. So don’t forget to grab plenty of grapes. Have a happy and healthy New Year!