Pickle and Headcheese Platter
A Pickle and Headcheese Platter is a traditional cold appetizer featuring slices of headcheese (a savory meat jelly or terrine made from pork head parts) served alongside an assortment of pickled vegetables. It's a classic charcuterie item often found in European, particularly German, Central European, and American deli cuisines.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This platter is high in protein and fat from the headcheese, with minimal carbohydrates unless the pickles are sweet. It provides a good source of collagen, zinc, and B vitamins, with a typical serving containing roughly 250-350 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 300 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 4 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
| Zinc | 3.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Collagen | significant amount |
| Selenium | 22 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4 mg |
| Iron | 1.8 mg |
| Potassium | 220 mg |
Per 1 serving (approx. 150 g headcheese + 50 g mixed pickles) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Headcheese is not cheese at all but a gelatinous meat product set with natural collagen from simmered pork head, making it a historic way to use the entire animal. The pairing with sharp, acidic pickles cuts through the richness, creating a balanced contrast of flavors and textures.
