Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehog

Name: Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehog
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 10 people
Cuisine: South African
Ingredients: 400 g firm cheddar cheese, cut into 40 roughly equal cubes; 400 g prepared fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 40 bite-sized chunks; ½ small firm green cabbage, cut through the core; Aluminium foil, enough to cover the cabbage half; 40 wooden cocktail sticks

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25 min totalPrep: 25 min Serves 10 people Snack

cheese and pineapple hedgehog recipe photo

This Cheese and Pineapple Hedgehog recipe brings a familiar party favourite to the Christmas snack table. Sharp cheddar and sweet pineapple make a lovely little bite, and the spiky arrangement is easy to put together with ordinary cocktail sticks. There is no oven involved, which is especially welcome on a hot South African Christmas Day.

A foil-covered cabbage half gives the sticks a sturdy base; it is a display stand rather than part of the snack. Dry the pineapple well so the cheese stays neat, then arrange the bites in rows around the dome. Serve it while everyone gathers for lunch, with small plates nearby and an empty bowl for used sticks. Keep it chilled until your guests arrive.

Ingredients

Servings10

For the bites

400 g firm cheddar cheese, cut into 40 roughly equal cubes
400 g prepared fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 40 bite-sized chunks

For the display

½ small firm green cabbage, cut through the core
Aluminium foil, enough to cover the cabbage half
40 wooden cocktail sticks

Instructions

1
Remove any loose outer cabbage leaves. Check that the cut face sits flat, trimming it carefully if necessary, then pat the cabbage dry.
2
Wrap the cabbage half closely in aluminium foil, tucking the edges underneath. Place it cut-side down on a sturdy serving platter to make a stable dome.
3
Cut the cheddar into 40 cubes, roughly 2 cm across. Keep them chilled while you prepare the pineapple.
4
Cut the pineapple into 40 chunks of similar size. Spread them on clean kitchen paper and gently pat dry to remove surface juice.
5
Thread one pineapple chunk onto each cocktail stick, followed by one cheese cube. Leave enough bare stick below the cheese to anchor it securely in the cabbage, with a short length above the fruit for picking it up.
6
Push the bare ends into the cabbage in spaced rows, starting near the bottom and working upwards. Angle the sticks outwards like hedgehog spines, keeping the cheese and fruit clear of the foil.
7
Cover loosely without pressing on the sticks and refrigerate until serving. Put out just before eating, with a small bowl alongside for discarded sticks.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 181 kcal
Carbohydrates: 5.8 g
Protein: 10.2 g
Fat: 13.3 g
Saturated fat: 8.4 g
Sugar: 4.1 g
Fibre: 0.6 g
Sodium: 249 mg
Cholesterol: 42 mg

Estimated values based on the ingredients used.

Notes

Christmas tips

Prepare the cheese and pineapple up to a day ahead and refrigerate in separate covered containers. Assemble the hedgehog up to 4 hours before serving.
For a hot South African Christmas, keep the platter refrigerated until needed and serve in the shade. Limit time out of the fridge to 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 32°C.
Choose firm cheddar rather than a very crumbly mature cheese, which can split when pierced. Make the cubes large enough to hold securely on the sticks.
The foil-covered cabbage is a display base, not a serving ingredient. Cocktail sticks are sharp: remove them before offering suitably cut pieces to young children.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use tinned pineapple?

Yes. Use 400 g drained pineapple chunks, preferably packed in juice. Drain thoroughly and pat dry before threading; very soft pieces may slip off the sticks.

Can I use a different cheese?

Firm Gouda works well if you prefer a milder flavour. Avoid soft cheeses and very crumbly cheeses, as they do not stay on cocktail sticks reliably.

How many bites does this recipe make?

It makes 40 cheese-and-pineapple bites, allowing 4 per person as a snack alongside other food. The nutrition estimate covers the cheese and pineapple only, not the cabbage display base.

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