In the early days, most everything served on a relish tray was either marinated or pickled, with olives and pickles usually taking center stage. ... This recipe as written easily serves 20.

Celery played an important role on the tray because it was a special occasion treat. Before self-blanching varieties were developed in the 20th century, celery was a labor-intensive product.

A relish tray, then, was a variety of these tidbits arranged on a platter. Colonists had plenty of relishes. Cranberries were among the more popular and lasting in terms of recipes.

Simple and satisfying—and a light lift for the host—the Midwestern-style relish tray has always been the height of low-key hospitality. Now, a renaissance is under way at restaurants around ...

And while relish trays and crudités are both variations on the theme of snacking, each has its own specific item requirements to bear its name.

When I was tall enough to see what was on the holiday dinner table back in 1950s Lorain, Ohio, and my little arm was long enough to reach it, I acquainted myself enthusiastically with a relish ...

Ron Faiola put it this way: “A supper club is a brandy old-fashioned sweet at the bar, a relish tray, food that you don’t make at home … exotic seafood, prime rib.

FOOD. Pre T-Day dinner relish tray is good crowd control. Cathey Noell. As far back as I can remember before any holiday meal, a huge relish tray was always put out for everyone to nibble on. I think ...