I don’t know about you guys – but it feels like EVERYONE is in Italy this summer. Trust me, I’d gladly be there too but writing cookbook #3 has me in LA for the foreseeable future. But I’ve been reminiscing about our trip to Italy for my 30th birthday and craving this Melon and Prosciutto Salad!
Every single place we’d visit on our Italy tripped served some version of a Melon and Prosciutto Salad or platter. It was my everything. The sweetness from the various melons with the saltiness from the prosciutto is a match made in heaven. (and, side note, one that I was very skeptical about at first) But now that I’m hooked, it’s here to stay! And it couldn’t be easier to make. It’s just a few simple ingredients! Predominately really really really good melon.
How do you buy really good melons you ask? Well, here’s the deal.
Cantaloupe – Smell the cantaloupe where the fruit was cut from it’s stem. It should smell very fragrant and sweet. If it doesn’t, move on to the next one!
Honeydew – First, make sure the honeydew is green!! We don’t want any grey-ish melons! You know that it’s ready to eat when you can hear the seeds rattling around when you shake it near your ear. And don’t be afraid to give it a gentle shake when there are other shoppers around, they can judge all they want, but at least you’re going to go home with a great piece of fruit!
So there ya go!! Get after this Melon and Prosciutto Salad situation and you won’t be disappointed!
Melon and Prosciutto Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 ounces baby arugula
- 1 small cantaloupe sliced or scooped into melon balls
- 1 small honeydew sliced or scooped into melon balls
- 8 ounces bite-size fresh mozzarella drained
- 2 to 3 ounces prosciutto torn
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh mint leaves
- balsamic glaze
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk the vinegar, salt and pepper while slowly pouring in the olive oil. Toss the dressing with the arugula and transfer to a serving platter.
- Tuck the sliced or scooped melon in the arugula and top with mozzarella balls and tear the prosciutto into bite-size pieces and scatter it overtop as well. Scatter with the fresh basil and mint leaves, drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with freshly ground black pepper.
First off, congrats!!!! So exciting, and so excited for you. Secondly, I am thrilled that you took the traditional melon proscuitto recipe to new heights. I will definitely be adding this to our salad list!
Drooling. my roommate introduced me to prosciutto with melon in college, and i have been forever hooked. it’s amazing stuff! I’ve never seen it in a salad before though! New and easy way to eat it, and in BULK too!
BTW i am so excited for your wedding! Wishing you and the future husband all the happiness in the world. 🙂
Love this sweet and salty salad!
Congrats Gaby! Wishing you all the best on your special day. Love this classic combination in salad form.
lovely salad Gaby- have a beautiful and special wedding weekend- i wish you the best!
Gaby: This looks delicious; I really love the photo you took of it. Feel like entering it in our Food Blogger Recipe Contest? Details on our Facebook page here: http://on.fb.me/PGNLSj
Gregg
A beautiful salad for a beautiful lady. So excited for you and the big day!
Yes! One of the melon farmers at the farmer’s market was giving away slices wrapped in prosciutto last week. Definitely a great way to advertise!
Simple and delicious. I had all the ingredients on hand so I made this for a light lunch. Then I ended up having it for dinner and the next day for a light dessert. Did I say this was delicious? My go to for quick and refreshing. Thank you for sharing other melon posts. Love this time of year. Thank you for sharing.
I wrap melon balls with proscuitto all the time during the summer, but this looks absolutely amazing! I will definitely try it soon.
I love that you are keeping summer alive as long as possible! This is a delicious salad.
The flavor fusion in this salad sound delectable. I am going to the market to find perfect melons!!
Hi Gaby,
Do you have a balsamic salad dressing for everyday, or is this the one? Saw you on the Kitchen and now I’m starting to follow you. I don’t know where I have been, lol. Also, for your beauty products, do you recommend for all ages, 25-30, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s?
Thank you
Beauty products are great for all ages – yes!! and the balsamic vinaigrette recipe is in either of my 2 most recent cookbooks!!