Fall into autumn and let the gatherings with friends and family begin. Whether it’s a football tailgate, huddling in front of a bonfire or celebrating the holidays, there’s nothing like presenting an impressive charcuterie board with a range of options to please all appetites.

“Visit the Strack & Van Til Deli Department for everything you need for a simple or extravagant charcuterie board. For your own charcuterie creation, begin with pretty layers of meats like salamis and thinly sliced prosciuttos and cheeses cut in geometric shapes for eye-catching appeal. Add fresh fruits, berries or dried fruits, honeys, fruit preserves, olives, bruschetta, specialty crackers, breads, crispy cheese crisps and nuts to complete your spread,” says Deli Department Director Kristin Snow. “The possibilities are endless. There are even simple varieties that are kid-friendly, like Babybel cheese and cheese curds.”

The fresh deli Fall Charcuterie Board created by the Strack & Van Til Deli Department includes bold and mild selections including rich and creamy Brie; ultra-sharp cheddar cheese, aged to perfection, which increases the sharpness yet is rich, nutty and creamy; and Sartori Bella Vitano cheese, a hard cheese with nutty, fruity flavor.

Choose pesto-marinated fresh mozzarella that combines the sweet taste of fresh basil and the nutty accent of Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil. It also makes a delicious appetizer and is perfect added to pasta. Belgioioso Provolone Extra is aged more than 24 months for a distinct picante flavor and sharp aroma. It pairs perfectly with cashews, cured meats, breadsticks, grapes, Chardonnay and red lager.

Dipping bread cheeses into hot coffee is a traditional Swedish practice or you can wrap them in puff pastry for an easy appetizer in varieties including garlic, jalapeño, pizza or smoked bacon. Sartori Merlot BellaVitano is a unique cheddar-parmesan immersed in a fine Merlot for an extra tang and a hint of wine. A new addition to the Deli Department, spinach artichoke Gouda combines the taste of the popular dip with the classic Dutch cheese.

Perfectly pair your cheese with wine or beer, also available at Strack & Van Til. For instance, Gouda pairs well with Chardonnay or Nut Brown Ale. Fresh mozzarella goes well with dry white wine or a Pilsner beer and Bleu cheese partners with full-bodied red wine or an amber beer.

Fig jam is the perfect complement to cheddar, brie, camembert or goat cheeses and is the star of the following recipe:

Prosciutto, Basil, Fig Jam and Goat Cheese Crostini

Ingredients

• One baguette
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Coarse sea salt or Kosher salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• 4 ounces plain goat cheese at room temperature
• One small jar fig jam (may use apricot jam if fig jam is unavailable)
• Slices of prosciutto
• Fresh basil leaves

Directions

Prepare crostini bread:

Preheat oven to 375º. Slice baguette at an angle into ½-inch thick pieces, brush each with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until bread is lightly brown and crisp. Cool completely.

Assemble crostini:

Spread each with approximately 1 tablespoon each goat cheese and then fig jam. Roll a half slice of prosciutto with one basil leaf and top off the fig jam.

Serve immediately and enjoy.