The dreaded vegetable tray… seen on party tables across the United States, this typical party food has always been seen as boring, unexciting, and just sort of blah. This convenient, easy-to-assemble party food does have potential though, and when I needed a last minute light bite for a birthday party I was hosting, these brightly colored vegetables came to my rescue. Who doesn’t love quick bites that you can eat with your hands? If done correctly, vegetable trays can appeal to almost every guest, especially one as brightly colored as the one I assembled (it almost looks like a basket of candy!). If you are like me and always running around at the last minute, this is a quick and easy party dish that has a ton of impact.

I traded in the typical clear, plastic tray from the grocery store to display my veggies on, and used a basket, which adds dimension, texture and a hint of rustic elegance. When you’re picking out vegetables I say the more the better! In this basket I used: tri-colored carrots, purple and yellow peppers, ruby red radishes, tomatoes, and some other healthy treats I found at the market. Pair with your choice of dip or a spicy hummus like I did. Make use of all the colors available, and let the vegetables do the talking.