Slow Savory Turtle Crudités

Featured in: Game Day Snacks

This elegant platter showcases fresh cucumber rounds shaped like turtle shells, adorned with bell pepper and zucchini wedges for legs and heads. Cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas add colorful accents. A creamy herb dip made from Greek yogurt, sour cream, dill, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice complements the veggies for a delightful flavor combination. This easy-to-prepare dish brings fun and creativity to any appetizer spread or snack time.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:07:00 GMT
Vibrant Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités with fresh veggies, artfully arranged on a platter, ready to be enjoyed! Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités with fresh veggies, artfully arranged on a platter, ready to be enjoyed! | yummywithmia.com

A whimsical, charming platter featuring fresh vegetables artfully arranged to resemble turtles—perfect for parties, kids, or adding fun to any appetizer spread. Served with a creamy herb dip.

This is a delightful and creative way I have found to make healthy veggies a favorite at any gathering.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 1 large cucumber, 1 green bell pepper, 8 cherry tomatoes, 1 small zucchini, 12 baby carrots, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup snap peas
  • Herb Dip: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, salt and pepper, to taste
  • Garnishes & Assembly: 8 black olive slices (for eyes), 8 toothpicks

Instructions

Slice the cucumber into 1/2-inch thick rounds:
These will form the turtle shells.
Cut the green bell pepper and zucchini into small wedges:
For legs and heads.
Attach four vegetable wedges around each cucumber round with toothpicks:
Create legs, and a smaller wedge for the head.
Use a dab of yogurt dip to glue olive slices to the heads for eyes:
Arrange cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli, and snap peas around the turtles as a colorful crudités platter:
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, dill, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the herb dip:
Mix well.
Serve the vegetable turtles with the herb dip on the side:
A colorful platter showing whimsical Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités, a healthy and fun appetizer everyone will love. Save to Pinterest
A colorful platter showing whimsical Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités, a healthy and fun appetizer everyone will love. | yummywithmia.com

This platter has made many family gatherings more lively and fun, bringing smiles especially from children.

Required Tools

Sharp knife, cutting board, toothpicks, small serving bowl

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (Greek yogurt, sour cream). Check all packaged ingredients for potential allergens if in doubt.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 80, Total Fat: 2 g, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Protein: 4 g

Brightly colored Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités served with creamy herb dip, a fun party-friendly snack. Save to Pinterest
Brightly colored Slow & Savory Turtle Crudités served with creamy herb dip, a fun party-friendly snack. | yummywithmia.com

This vibrant crudités turtle platter is sure to be a hit at your next party or family gathering.

Common Recipe Questions

How do I assemble the turtle shapes?

Slice cucumber into thick rounds for the shells. Attach bell pepper and zucchini wedges as legs and heads using toothpicks. Use yogurt to fix olive slices as eyes.

Can I make the dip vegan?

Yes, by substituting Greek yogurt and sour cream with dairy-free or plant-based alternatives, you can create a vegan-friendly dip.

What vegetables are best for the platter?

Cucumber, green bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas work well for visual appeal and taste.

Is this suitable for gluten-free diets?

All ingredients used are naturally gluten-free, making this platter suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.

How long does preparation take?

The entire preparation takes about 25 minutes with no cooking required, making it a quick and easy snack option.

Slow Savory Turtle Crudités

Fresh veggies shaped as turtles served with a flavorful herb dip, perfect for parties or snacks.

Prep Time
25 minutes
0
Overall Time
25 minutes
Created by Mia

Recipe Type Game Day Snacks

Skill Level Easy

Culinary Origin International

Total Output 4 Portion Size

Dietary Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly, Gluten-Free

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 1 large cucumber
02 1 green bell pepper
03 8 cherry tomatoes
04 1 small zucchini
05 12 baby carrots
06 1 cup broccoli florets
07 1 cup snap peas

Herb Dip

01 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
02 1/4 cup sour cream
03 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
04 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
05 1 clove garlic, minced
06 1 teaspoon lemon juice
07 Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnishes & Assembly

01 8 black olive slices
02 8 toothpicks

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Prepare Turtle Shells: Slice the cucumber into 1/2-inch thick rounds to serve as turtle shells.

Step 02

Cut Legs and Heads: Cut the green bell pepper and zucchini into small wedges for turtle legs and heads.

Step 03

Assemble Turtle Bodies: Attach four vegetable wedges around each cucumber round using toothpicks to mimic legs, then add a smaller wedge for the head.

Step 04

Add Eyes: Use a small dab of the yogurt dip to affix black olive slices to the head wedges as eyes.

Step 05

Arrange Crudités: Arrange cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas artistically around the assembled turtles to create a vibrant platter.

Step 06

Prepare Herb Dip: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, chopped dill, parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper; mix thoroughly.

Step 07

Serve Platter: Present the vegetable turtles alongside the herb dip for dipping.

Tools Required

  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Toothpicks
  • Small serving bowl

Allergy Warnings

Please review individual ingredients for potential allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy from Greek yogurt and sour cream.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Calories Count: 80
  • Fats: 2 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 13 grams
  • Proteins: 4 grams