December 1, 2022
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
By Eloise Graham
A Gourmet Fad – the Charcuterie Board
Do you remember the wooden bread or cutting boards of the ‘60s and ‘70s? You put meat and cheese and crackers on them for serving. Well that my friends is the CHARCUTERIE BOARD. Pronounced shar-KOO-ta-REE.
Charcuterie is a specific term with origins as far back as the 15th century France. It is derived of two French words “chair” meaning “flesh” and “cuit” meaning “cooked” so it is a tray of cooked meat. Originally it meant the products of a fancy pork butcher. In Europe, many deli-style shops offer an array of meat trays with cheese, cracker and vegetable accompaniments. This has now spread to the United States.
People everywhere are having Charcuterie Board parties. Everyone brings a charcuterie board to share. This gives a new meaning to BYOB. Bring Your Own Board. You can use deli sliced meats or dried meats, any selection of cheeses, even cheese spreads. Add an array of crackers, some pickles or olives, even pickled vegetables and you are all set.
You can order a pre-made board, free shipping of course, for $239.00 to $375.00. Or you can make your own (probably for a lot less) to fit your tastes. Any board or tray will work. Some that are offered on line are made of bamboo or marble. I saw a cartoon the other day. It was a picture of a wooden bread board, a slice of salami, a slice of cheese and a cracker. It was titled “My charcuterie starter kit.”
So jump on the charcuterie band wagon. Dust off those old wooden trays and have a party. Better do it now. Fads come and go. The fad may be over by 2023.
Enjoy and Happy New Year, whatever the fad!
