Prosciutto e Melone is a classic Italian appetizer, perfect for parties or a light lunch. It's ideal for warm summer evenings since the melon helps to keep the body hydrated.
Prosciutto e Melone is a classic Italian snack for parties or a light lunch. It is ideal for warm summer evenings because the melon hydrates the body well.
The combination of opposing flavors, such as sweet, salty, juicy, and spicy, comes from ancient Rome or Asia. It is nothing new, and it is also practiced today. Many times, such experiments pleasantly surprise my palate.
Sweet, juicy melon and salty, dry Parma ham are something I like. All this is sprinkled with delicious balsamic vinegar—an unforgettable taste. And one more plus, it gets done very quickly.
How to choose the best ingredients for Prosciutto e Melone
Melone cantaloupe: choose an always-ripe melon from a sure source. Such melons are the tastiest. However, if you are not sure if the melon is ripe, do one little trick: the peel of the ripe melon on the top of the fruit (opposite to where it was attached to the stem) gently bends under the pressure of your finger and returns to its original shape when you stop pressing. Do not worry that you will have half a melon left. You will find many other recipes that just have a melon on my blog.
Prosciutto di Parma: Most often, you will buy Parma ham that is already sliced, which is a good and quick option for this delicious dish. However, one detail should be noted: a crown stamp with the word PARMA. This guarantees the original product. Whether sold whole or sliced, Parma ham is always sliced and packed in Parma. So check it out to buy the original product.
Balsamic Vinegar di Modena: Good-quality Modena balsamic vinegar will not be cheap, but believe me, it is worth investing in. You do not have to buy balsamic vinegar made using the traditional method for 12 or 24 years (because this is its production period). However, check a few details on the packaging, and this will guarantee good quality. Balsamic vinegar should contain only two ingredients: cooked grape must and wine vinegar. There are no caramel, sugar, or preservatives there. Sometimes, there is also information on whether it is thick and intense vinegar or what percentage of the cooked grape must has been made. I would choose this 65% minimum.
Top Tip for Success
If you're going to make this recipe, make sure to follow this top tip!
- • Choose a really ripe melon — it should be sweet, juicy, and fragrant. This is key to balancing the salty prosciutto.
- • Keep the melon well chilled, but let the prosciutto sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- • Slice the melon into small wedges or bite-sized pieces — it makes the dish easier to serve and eat.
- • Use thinly sliced, good-quality prosciutto — with such a simple recipe, the ingredients really matter.
- • Don’t add extra salt — the prosciutto already brings enough saltiness to the dish.
- • Serve immediately after assembling — it tastes best fresh, when the contrast of flavors and textures is just right.
- • For a small upgrade, drizzle a little olive oil or add fresh herbs like mint for extra freshness.
- • If you like a sweet-salty contrast, a light drizzle of balsamic glaze works really well.
How to serve prosciutto e melone
This recipe tastes fantastic in a rustic style, so I like to serve it on a wooden board. You can cut the melon strips into smaller pieces, insert toothpicks, and create some prosciutto e melone skewers. This version works well as a snack for parties.
For the classic version of prosciutto e melone, I simply sprinkle it with high-quality balsamic vinegar from Modena. However, feel free to personalize it by adding herbs like basil, refreshing mint, or sage for a burst of fresh aroma.
To make this dish perfect for a romantic evening for two, serve it with a breadstick and pair it with a dry white wine or Italian Prosecco.
If you enjoy eating melons, make sure to explore my other recipes
Prosciutto e Melone pinwheels is a different version of this incredibly delicious and healthy snack. It looks amazing and tastes fantastic! You should definitely give it a try!
Garlic Chicken Melon Pomegranate Salad is a delicious, filling salad with chicken and fruit. I love combining different flavors, like sweet and spicy. If you feel the same way, you must try this salad!
Leave a Reply