Iron Throne Veggie Centerpiece

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Cuisine: American, Swedish

Courses: Appetizer, Snack

Difficulty: Intermediate

Dietary: Beets, Carrots, Parsnips Turnips, Roots + Plant Forward, Sweet Potatoes, Vegetables, Roots + Plant Forward

Description

A Swede Dish Take on Royal Presentation

This centerpiece blends playful Nordic carving with creamy dill Skyr dip, turning humble roots into a feast fit for kings, dragons... or hungry little Vikings.

Ingredients

Roasted Throne Spears

1 medium rutabaga (or substitute sweet potato or golden beet)
2 carrots
2 parsnips
2 purple potatoes (or red or Yukon Gold)
1½ tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika or ground cumin for warmth (Optional)

Skyr Dill Ranch Dip

¾ cup plain Skyr or Greek yogurt
2 tbsp buttermilk or oat milk
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembly

1 rustic bread round, hollowed
(or use a shallow wooden bowl or board)
2 tbsp Optional: beet purée or juice (for spooky “blood” drizzle)
Fresh herbs (dill, rosemary, sage)

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Peel and cut root vegetables into long, jagged spear shapes, about 4–6 inches long. Vary heights for a wild, throne-like silhouette.

2. Roast the Veggie Spears

3
Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional spices.
4
Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5
Roast for 30–35 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and just tender (not too soft—you want them to stand upright).

3. Make the Skyr Ranch Dip

6
Whisk together all dip ingredients in a bowl. Chill while the veggies roast.

4. Assemble the Throne

7
Spoon dip generously into the center of the hollowed bread round or wooden bowl.
8
Insert roasted veggies upright into the dip, fanning outward like throne blades.
9
Use shorter pieces in the front, taller ones in back.

5. Garnish & Dramatize

10
Tuck fresh herbs around the base.
11
For a spooky effect, drizzle beet purée down the throne like blood.
12
Serve with crispbread “swords” or roasted flatbread shards for extra drama.

Note

Swede Dish Tips

For a milder flavor, sub rutabaga with sweet potato or golden beet
Serve warm or at room temp
Add marbled “dragon eggs” around the base for extra flair
Perfect for fall gatherings, fantasy-themed parties, or as a conversation-starting veggie platter