Antipasto Kabobs – the perfect appetizer

My husband and I love to entertain. However, when we have company I like to enjoy the company and not spend all my time in the kitchen! I am always looking for recipes that I can make ahead or at least reduce my time in the kitchen. I really don’t want to be spending time cooking in the kitchen when I could be enjoying our company. These antipasto kabobs are the perfect solution! There is a little work involved the day before which is just cooking the tortellini and marinating it with the olives and salad dressing. Before your company arrives you can put together the antipasto kabobs so they will be chilled and ready for sharing.

 

The added bonus is that they are light in calories. You can enjoy two antipasto kabobs for only 139 calories. Delicious and low fat, my kind of appetizer!

 

Antipasto Kabobs

 

Ingredients:

 

1 package of refrigerated cheese tortellini (9 oz)

40 pimento stuffed olives

40 large pitted ripe olives

¾ cup Italian salad dressing

40 thin slices of pepperoni

20 thin slices of hard salami
Can of artichoke hearts in water, drained

 

Directions:

 

Cook the tortellini according to the package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the tortellini, olives and salad dressing. Stir gently, cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

 

Drain and discard the marinade. For each appetizer, thread a stuffed olive, folded pepperoni slice, tortellini, a folded salami piece and ripe olive on a toothpick or short skewer. If you like you can also add a piece of parsley.

 

Makes about 40 appetizers.

 

These antipasto kabobs would be perfect for your next summer gathering. They were certainly a hit with our company!

 

Do you have a favorite appetizer you like to serve? One that doesn’t have you spending hours in the kitchen? Please share in the comments!