Up Your Holiday Charcuterie Board Game With Cranberry Mostarda

For the ambitious host and charcuterie enthusiast who's tried it all, the holidays are the best time to bring out festive flavors to complement the board's components. And you can't get much more festivity-appropriate than serving a cranberry mostarda on your holiday charcuterie board. If you're unfamiliar with mostarda, it's a popular condiment that originated in the Northern Italian city of Cremona and was traditionally made to accompany boiled meats. It's made from fruit, sugar, and mustard seeds or powder, creating a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors to elevate your charcuterie board with a holiday twist.

While traditional mostardas are made with candied fruits like apricots, figs, or cherries in syrup, a cranberry mostarda lets you replace boring charcuterie ingredients with elements that bring a seasonal flair. The sweet tanginess of the cranberries and sharp bite from the mustard seeds pair wonderfully with the rich, creamy cheeses and salty meats often present on a charcuterie board. But the flavor is strong enough to stand on its own, simply spread over a crisp cracker. 

Charcuterie is an art form, and the golden rule for filling your charcuterie board is to start with your bigger items first. To incorporate your cranberry mostarda, put it in your favorite small bowl or ramekin with a small spreading knife or spoon. Then place the bowl on the board and surround it with the items that go best with its tart flavor — brie, Gouda, and sharp cheddar are excellent cheese options, while cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni have the salt content to balance out the sweetness. 

If you really want to show off, add slices of charcuterie board-appropriate beef for a rich, umami-filled option. Accompaniments like buttery crackers or slices of toasted baguette act as a vessel so your guests can mix and match flavors to get the perfect festive bite. Fill in the gaps with candied nuts and sliced fruits, like apples or pears. These ingredients offer a textural balance while enhancing the fruitiness of the cranberries. Don't forget to include briny bites like olives or pickled vegetables. 

Cranberries are synonymous with the holidays, and using them to make a mostarda will be the highlight of your charcuterie board. Its vibrant red hue and sweet and spicy flavor will stand out on your table, and you just might end up on cranberry mostarda duty every holiday season.