Is it just me?

[kymom99]

Charcuterie boards look gross to me. All that stuff jumbled up on a tray. I’m good with like meat and cheese, but not all that other stuff. And put the crackers in a basket.

 

[Meglen]

I'm a Ritz cracker and Monterey jack cheese slice girl. Charcuterie boards are so much money and seem like a waste.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

If you don't like the "other stuff" then you probably wouldn't like a charcuterie board. The purpose of the boards are to try each individual item in combination with all the other individual items to experience the different flavors that they bring out in each other. Just like Remy with the cheese and strawberries in Ratatouille. DH and I love a good charcuterie board.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It's the current 'in thing' in entertaining. Wait a few years, it will be something else.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Not sure if they are doing it right where you are. When I grew up it was called lunch, nothing french about it so I was stunned the first time someone putting on airs used a fancy (maybe french )name for my version of lunch or snacks with drinks. No idea how it got a french sounding name when it's all italian meats and really, there shouldn't be a Ritz anywhere near it.

Same goes for rice balls, these are peasant food, yummy street food that was in pizzarias and variations were made to feed big poor families so when I see them with a big price in a fancy place I just giggle to myself.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

It's like fondue. It was the big thing, and now it's not.

I've never actually had a charcuterie board, and I think by the time I get around to wanting one, it won't be a fad anymore.

 

[_19disnA]

I think those TV cooking shows help to popularize that name as well, something with a fancy French name makes it sound more exotic then it really is. Most people call it cheese/crackers when they put out snacks when having guests at their house. There isn't any one combination of items specific to this so it is whatever you like to serve. I agree as others said, that name will fade but people will still serve 'snacks' when having company.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Yeah, it’s too much. Just give me simple ham and cheese on a Triscuit. Maybe a jar of green olives on the side. I’m good.

 

[Meglen]

I call mine a lunchable..

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I'm a bit surprised about people calling it a "fad". I mean, I've only been loving charcuterie boards for the last 20 years or so. Maybe having fancy-schmancy boards for your home parties is a more 2010's thing, but I mean....it's meat, cheese, and accoutremants. It's been around since, like, ancient Rome.

 

[Christine]

I'm not much of a fan either, only because I don't care for most of the ingredients. My daughter, OTOH, loves everything that would go on one and she makes them often.

 

[mjkacmom]

Not sure if they are doing it right where you are. When I grew up it was called lunch, nothing french about it so I was stunned the first time someone putting on airs used a fancy (maybe french )name for my version of lunch or snacks with drinks. No idea how it got a french sounding name when it's all italian meats and really, there shouldn't be a Ritz anywhere near it.

Same goes for rice balls, these are peasant food, yummy street food that was in pizzarias and variations were made to feed big poor families so when I see them with a big price in a fancy place I just giggle to myself.

Rice balls aren’t fancy here, you can get them at every deli, pizzeria and Italian restaurant. Cold antipasto has been on every menu forever.

 

[tasha99]

I'm surprised they're considered a fad, as I've been making and eating them for decades. I remember having pate with cheese and crackers and fruit when I was like 8 years old--that's coming up on 50 years ago! I like them, but to each their own.

 

[fly girl]

I like them. And I am not jumping on a bandwagon as I have had them for years.

 

[porschegrl]

Not sure if they are doing it right where you are. When I grew up it was called lunch, nothing french about it so I was stunned the first time someone putting on airs used a fancy (maybe french )name for my version of lunch or snacks with drinks. No idea how it got a french sounding name when it's all italian meats and really, there shouldn't be a Ritz anywhere near it.

Agreed. I don't know when or why people started using the term charcuterie - a specific French meat-centric thing - to refer to any and all meat & cheese board appetizers. I'm all for the evolution of both language and cuisine, but I've had a hard time getting on board with the expanded use of "charcuterie" for exactly the reasons shown in this thread.

 

[morgan98]

Call it whatever you want, but I grew up eating everything on the board before it was a "fad."

 

[MIGrandma]

I love charcuterie boards! I can make a meal from them. I make them at home but especially enjoy restaurants that have them, like Prost I Frankenmuth, Michigan.

 

[penn19]

I don’t like meat and cheese but I think they look interesting. I’ve made a dessert charcuterie board before. That I liked! Which I guess technically it’s not charcuterie if you’re not using meats and cheeses! But whatever….

 

[ronandannette]

I'm a bit surprised about people calling it a "fad". I mean, I've only been loving charcuterie boards for the last 20 years or so. Maybe having fancy-schmancy boards for your home parties is a more 2010's thing, but I mean....it's meat, cheese, and accoutremants. It's been around since, like, ancient Rome.

Yep and I love them too. Back in the day we used to call it “snick-snacking” and that’s just as dumb as the word charcuterie. We laid it all out nicely on boards or platters back then and we still do. And as to the OP’s question, the allure is mostly the little extra bits-and-pieces in addition to the meats and cheeses - the more there are, the more lavish it seems.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Absolutely pro-charcuterie! It's made for some great gatherings of friends and family for us. Many options for many different tastes - and it's lots of fun to try new things in small bites. Never understood why the word charcuterie seems to rub some folks the wrong way! It's good food, small bites, and fun when paired with some good people and good beverages!