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The appetizer, Regional

Comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers

Comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers are a no-cook appetizer for 6 people, threaded onto wooden picks. They take 15 minutes of hands-on work, assembled right before your guests arrive, for a cost of €2.30 per person and a very easy difficulty level. Success comes down to choosing a comté aged enough to have real character.

Nicely aged comté, fresh grapes and walnuts, simple, fresh and generous, perfect for picking and crunching.

Comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers
For
6 people
Work
15 min
Total time
20 min
Prep
Finished at the last minute
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
250 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Aged comté brings that small crystalline crunch, grapes add sweet freshness, and walnuts contribute both bite and a slightly bitter edge. Three textures and three flavors meeting on a single pick, with no sauce and no cooking, just the balance between the saltiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the fruit.

This is the perfect starter for an impromptu dinner with friends or a fall family gathering, when grapes are still at their best. Serve it with a glass of dry white wine or grape juice for the kids, as the opening act of a simpler meal, since this bite already brings plenty of character to the table.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 3 steps, 30 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Everything happens right before your guests arrive, there's no prep needed the day before. Take the comté out, cut it into cubes, wash and dry the grapes, crack the walnuts, then assemble the skewers and arrange them in a fan pattern on the plate just before serving, so everything stays fresh and crisp.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Aged comté cheese 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Grapes 400 g

Pantry

  • Walnuts 100 g
  • Wooden picks 24

Allergens Lactose, Tree nuts

The recipe, moment by moment

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Take the comté out of the refrigerator half an hour ahead and cut it into even cubes. 30 min

    Cheese at room temperature is more flavorful and tender.

  2. Wash the grapes, pull them off the bunch, and pat them dry.

    Leave a small bit of stem on, it makes them easier to skewer.

  3. Crack the walnuts open and keep nice whole halves.

    Crack the walnuts at the last minute, they keep better in their shells.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Thread a cube of comté, a grape, and half a walnut onto each pick, then arrange on a plate.

    Arrange the picks in a fan pattern, it looks great and is easy to grab.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the comté into even cubes, around 2 centimeters on each side, so every bite has the same balance of cheese, grape, and walnut.
  • Choose medium sized grapes, too large and they throw off the pick, too small and they're hard to skewer cleanly.
  • Assemble all the skewers ahead of time on a tray covered with a damp cloth, they'll hold without drying out until serving.

The variations

  • Swap the comté for gruyère or beaufort if you prefer a slightly milder cheese.
  • For a nut-free version, skip the walnuts and add a cube of apple or a piece of fresh fig instead.
  • For kids, use seedless grapes and trim the wooden picks shorter so they're easier and safer to handle.

What to serve it with

  • A glass of dry white wine
  • Toasted country bread on the side
  • Grape juice for the kids

Storage

This isn't a dish you store, it's assembled at the last minute and eaten within the hour. If you have extra ingredients left, keep them separate in the refrigerator and assemble more skewers later rather than keeping finished ones around.

Questions about this recipe

What kind of comté should I use for this recipe?

Look for a comté aged around 18 months, mature enough to have real flavor without being too sharp. A younger comté will lack character next to the grapes and walnuts.

Can I swap the walnuts for another nut?

Yes, hazelnuts or almonds work just as well and give the same crunch. Avoid nuts that are too large, since they can unbalance the pick.

How do I arrange the skewers nicely on the plate?

Stand the skewers upright in a fan pattern around the plate, points facing outward. It looks great and makes them easy to grab without crowding.

Can I make this recipe for more than 6 people?

Yes, just multiply the comté, grapes, and walnuts in the same proportions. Simply add more wooden picks depending on your guest count.

Can comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers be made ahead?

Partly, the finish happens at the last moment. The recipe needs 15 min of work in total, split up like this, before the guests arrive, 3 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers?

Allow 20 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 15 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers?

About 250 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does comté cheese, grape and walnut skewers cost?

About €2.30 per person, that's €13.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, tree nuts. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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