Tortellini Totem Poles

Ingredients

• 2 cups tortellini (cheese, meat, vegetable - your choice!), cooked, drained and cooled
• 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese (bocconcini or cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup black olives, pitted
• 1/2 cup cucumber peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/4 cup Italian dressing

Directions

Place each type of ingredient in a separate small bowl and line up bowls on a table or countertop that's within reach for all the kids.

Using age-appropriate skewers (kebab skewers, disposable wooden skewers, coffee stir-sticks or straws), have each kid personalize their own totem pole by adding ingredients of their choice onto the skewer. Make colorful patterns; see who can fit the most ingredients onto their totem pole; count pieces as each is added. Dip totem poles in Italian dressing and eat!

Notes

Cook's Note: use all or some of the above ingredients when making this recipe.