# Ingredients:
→ Vegetables & Fruits
01 - 16 cherry tomatoes (mixed red, yellow, and orange)
02 - 16 green olives, pitted
03 - 16 black olives, pitted
04 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves
→ Cheese (optional)
05 - 2.8 oz mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
→ Other
06 - 16 small pretzel sticks or wooden cocktail skewers
07 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tsp balsamic glaze (optional)
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Instructions:
01 - Rinse and pat dry cherry tomatoes and basil leaves to ensure freshness.
02 - If using mozzarella, gently pat the balls dry to remove excess moisture.
03 - Thread one olive (green or black), one cherry tomato, and one mozzarella ball per skewer, alternating colors to resemble Christmas lights.
04 - Insert a fresh basil leaf between the tomato and cheese on each skewer for enhanced flavor and color contrast.
05 - Place the completed skewers neatly on a serving platter.
06 - Drizzle lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze if desired, then season with freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.