PARTNER POST – Get creative with any of Castello’s uniquely crafted cheeses. Click here for a $1 off coupon to create your own gourmet masterpiece.
An herbaceous appetizer to celebrate spring with a vegetarian ceviche, crispy cracker, and flavorful foam.
By Kristin Guy
Spring has finally arrived in Los Angeles, bringing warmer days and the floral scent of jasmine on the breeze. It’s the perfect season for light, bright bites that capture fresh, green flavors. These cucumber tomatillo “ceviche” cups paired with avocado dill-havarti foam are a spring-ready appetizer: herbaceous, cool, and elegant.
When Castello sent us their creamy dill Havarti, we wanted to spotlight the cheese in unexpected ways. These bite-sized cups use dill Havarti three ways: as a vegetarian “ceviche” mixed with cucumber and tomatillo, as a baked crisp to act as a cracker, and as a whipped avocado-dill foam that crowns each cup. The combination delivers a playful balance of creamy, crunchy, and tangy textures.
These cucumber cups are deceptively simple but full of contrast. Avocado, dill and cucumber provide a cool, mellow base while tomatillo and radish add bright acidity and peppery crunch. The dill in the Havarti ties everything together so each bite reads cohesive and fresh. Make extra foam — you’ll want to dollop it on other dishes.
Call it a triple-threat appetizer: savory, herb-forward, and visually appealing. They disappear fast at parties, so plan ahead if you want guests to get a taste.
Feed Your Creativity — Cucumber Tomatillo “Ceviche” Cups and Avocado Havarti Foam
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- Author: Kristin Guy
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 appetizers 1x
Description
An herbaceous appetizer that celebrates spring: a vegetarian “ceviche” served in cucumber cups, finished with a crisp dill-havarti cracker and a silky avocado-dill foam.
Ingredients
Cucumber, Tomatillo & Dill Havarti “Ceviche” cups
- 1 Large English cucumber, roughly peeled and cut into six 3–4 inch tall pillars
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cubed dill Havarti cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chopped English cucumber
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 chopped raw tomatillo
- Cracked pepper, to taste
- Radishes for garnish
Avocado Dill Havarti Foam
- 2 avocados
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) shredded dill Havarti cheese
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable stock
Dill Havarti Crisps
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded dill Havarti cheese
Instructions
Cucumber, Tomatillo & Dill Havarti “Ceviche” cups
- In a bowl, combine the chopped tomatillo, diced cucumber, cubed dill Havarti, red onion, and white wine vinegar. Toss with cracked pepper to taste. Hollow out six cucumber pillars with a melon baller or teaspoon and fill each cup with the ceviche mixture. Top each cup with a thin radish slice and set aside while you prepare the foam.
Avocado Dill Havarti Foam
- Place avocado, whipping cream, shredded dill Havarti, white wine vinegar, vegetable stock, and a pinch of salt in a blender. Puree until very smooth. Pour into a 1-pint siphon canister, charge with one N2O cartridge following manufacturer instructions, shake, and refrigerate until well chilled (about 30 minutes). Dispense a small dollop of foam on each cucumber cup. Follow the safety and usage directions for your siphon.
Dill Havarti Crisps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Shred approximately 1 cup dill Havarti. Arrange small flat mounds on a silicone-lined baking sheet and bake 3–5 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Let cool briefly, then cut into small triangles to garnish the cups.
- Finish the cucumber cups with cracked black salt, crushed pink peppercorns, and a small sprig of fresh dill.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 160
Get creative with any of Castello’s uniquely crafted cheeses. Click here for a $1 off coupon to create your own gourmet masterpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of dill havarti for the avocado cheese foam?
Dill Havarti brings a distinct herby note, but you can substitute other creamy cheeses like cream cheese or mascarpone; the flavor profile will change.
What type of crackers should I use for the baked crisp cracker component?
Any plain or herbed crackers work, but making crisps from shredded dill Havarti enhances the dish with a fresh, complementary taste.
How do I ensure the cucumber cups hold their shape when filled?
Choose firm cucumbers and cut the pillars a bit thicker. Hollow them carefully so the base remains intact and stable.
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