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Coral tree centerpiece 2 medium carrots 12 scallions Wooden toothpicks 1 large acorn squash, with top cut off and seeds removed, to use as a vase To make a carrot “flower” for the coral tree: Peel the carrots, and with the point of a small paring knife, cut one “petal” at the tip of one of the carrots without cutting completely through, so that the petal remains attached at the carrot tip. Rotate the carrot, cut another petal, then continue rotating the carrot and cutting petals. With the completion of an entire four-petal flower, twist the base of the flower to break it free of the carrot. Make additional flowers in the same way from the carrots. Put the carrot flowers in ice water to firm them up while you prepare the scallions. To make a scallion “tree” for the carrot flowers: If possible, select scallions that have several “branches” or tubes projecting out of the stem, and cut those branches at different levels. With the point of a knife, split the ends of the leaves on each of these branches to create an open flower effect. Drop the cut scallions into ice water for ten minutes or so to curl the scallion ends. To assemble the centerpiece: Insert one end of a wooden toothpick into the base of each carrot flower, then push the other end of the toothpick into the open ends of the scallions. Create a “vase” from the bottom two-thirds of a hollowed-out acorn squash, carving out little pieces of skin from the squash exterior, if you like, to create a decorative design. Arrange the coral flowers in the squash vase. |
A CORAL 'TREE' FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE|
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