Tomato and Mozzarella Lollipops

I'm always on the hunt for fun, delicious and EASY nibbles. For parties, sure. But sometimes also just as a snack while I'm having a drink or fixing dinner.

I've certainly served little Caprese salads on a skewer before. Bit of tomato, piece of mozzarella. Both wrapped in a basil leaf and impaled on a bamboo skewer. They're always a hit.

I was thrilled to run across this more elegant presentation recently. They're on the list for the Halloween party.

Tomato and Mozzarella Lollipops
Makes 12 lollipops.

12 cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoons pesto
12 bocconcini (baby mozzarella) or 12 small pieces of mozzarella
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped basil

Remove the top of each tomato with a sharp knife and scoop out the seeds with a melon baller. You'll end up with a "shell."

Spoon a little pesto into each shell and insert a piece of the mozzarella.

Skewer the bottom of each tomato with a bamboo skewer.

Combine the lemon zest, olive oil and basil in a small bowl. Dip each skewer in the mixture so that the mozzarella is "sprinkled" with the basil and lemon zest.

Serve upright in a glass with kosher salt in the bottom of it to anchor the skewers.