(Family Features)

Creating a winning game day gathering means good times with fans of your favorite team, but it starts with a game plan that includes delicious appetizers, snacks and finger foods to make pregame, halftime and postgame the highlight of the party.

Start with a star ingredient like fresh, versatile California grapes, which are ideal for snacking on their own or pairing with meats and cheeses for a go-to-anytime platter. Better yet, incorporate them into satisfying recipes like these that fuel your crowd for the action on the field.

To find more game day dishes worth sharing with your teammates, visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

 

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  1. Game Day Grape Football Bowls– A perfect fit for a football watch party, these delicious bowls are a winning way to kick off game day. Just warm and stretch waffle cone bowls slightly into football shapes, fill with fresh red grapes and top with white chocolate laces to get your crowd ready with a sweet treat.

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  1. Guacamole with Grapes – No tailgate or homegate is complete without chips and dips. This all-star version of guacamole calls for fresh grapes to add championship flavor and texture instead of tomatoes, keeping guests coming back for more during all four quarters.

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  1. Sweet and Spicy Nachos – Loaded with chicken, jalapenos, diced avocado and halved grapes then drizzled with chipotle barbecue sauce, these nachos are filling and flavorful. Don’t wait – they’ll be gone before halftime.

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  1. Fresh Grape Salsa – Skip the storebought salsa for this fresh, homemade version where California grapes replace tomatoes as the star of the show. The MVP of your party, grapes’ juicy sweetness balances the bite of chopped green onion, Anaheim chilies, cilantro and more.

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  1. Korean Barbecue-Spiced Flank Steak and Grape Skewers – If a heartier solution is called for to match the excitement on the gridiron, these spicy-sweet steak skewers can be your secret weapon. Requiring only 6-8 minutes on the grill, you can prepare them well before game time and cook right before kickoff for a sizzling main course.

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  1. Prosciutto, Red Grape and Pecorino Flatbread – Perhaps no finger food pairs with football quite like pizza or flatbreads, and this version offers a twist on traditional game day fare. Made with prosciutto, pecorino cheese and fresh grapes, it offers a light yet satisfying bite to munch on throughout the game.

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  1. Dill Pickle Marinated Grapes and Cheese – The No. 1 rule of homegating: Keep it simple. Marinate grapes, leftover pickle juice, onion, olive oil, Havarti cheese and red pepper overnight then thread the grapes and cheese onto toothpicks before your fellow fans arrive for an easy, delicious snack.