Prosciutto Melon Salad
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This Prosciutto Melon Salad is so refreshing, sweet, salty and delicious. Perfect summer salad to make as a snack, appetizer or side dish; and enjoy on a sunny pool day, cook-out, or beach picnic. Made with cured prosciutto, sweet and juicy melons, mozzarella balls, and fresh mint.
Prosciutto Melon Salad
Prosciutto Melon Salad or “prosciutto e melone” is a classic Italian dish that has been around for many centuries. If you’ve never had this combination then you are truly missing out! Prosciutto is a cured meat therefore having a very dry texture and salty taste. This makes it perfect to pair up with sweet and juicy fruits like melons. The combinations of flavors and textures pair up so well and are so good.
Prosciutto Melon Salad is the perfect summer salad to make as a snack, appetizer or side dish; and enjoy on a sunny pool day, cook-out, or beach picnic. I love making this salad and having it at the beach. It’s so refreshing and satisfying. Give it a try and I promise you will be making this delicious salad all summer long!
Ingredients needed to make Prosciutto Melon Salad:
- Prosciutto– The saltiness from the prosciutto pairs up so well with the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients.
- Melon– I like using both cantaloupe and honeydew.
- For Dressing– Lime juice, honey, and olive oil.
- Mozzarella– I like using Ciliegine Mozzarella balls, which means “cherry” in Italian. Their size compliments the size of the melon balls. Making the salad more aesthetically pleasing.
- Fresh Mint Leaves– Adds a good hint of freshness to this salad.
Equipment needed to make Prosciutto Melon Salad:
- Large Mixing Bowl– To combine and toss all ingredients in.
- Melon Baller– You will need one to scoop the melons into balls. If you don’t have one, you can cube the melons instead.
- Tongs– For tossing and serving.
How to make Prosciutto Melon Salad:
- Step 1– Take half of a cantaloupe and half of a honeydew and scoop seeds out of both. Use a melon baller and start scooping out melon balls from both melons. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2– Drain mozzarella balls and add them into bowl along with melon balls. Take your prosciutto and rip apart into smaller bite size pieces. I usually take one slice and break it down into 3 small pieces. Place into bowl with the rest of prepped ingredients.
- Step 3– Take Mint leaves and thinly slice them. In a small mixing bowl combine lime juice, honey and olive oil. Mix together and drizzle over salad. Add in sliced mint leaves and give salad a good toss making sure it is well coated with dressing.
- Step 4– Chill salad for at least 20-30 minutes then serve. Enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- You will need a melon baller– They are pretty cheap and a great tool to have. If you don’t have one, just cube or cut your melon into bite size chunks. The salad won’t look as aesthetically pleasing, however it will still be as delicious.
- Substitute for melons– If you don’t like other honeydew or cantaloupe, you can use watermelon as a substitute. Peaches are also great for this recipe.
- Substitute for honey– You can use maple syrup.
- Chill salad before serving– This salad is best when chilled. Keep refrigerated for at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
How to serve Prosciutto Melon Salad:
I love serving Prosciutto Melon Salad as a snack or appetizer on a hot summer day. I love making this salad for pool days, cookouts, or beach picnics. This salad is so pretty and perfect served as is. You can also serve it on a bed of arugula for some added greens. Garnish with extra mint leaves.
Variations:
- Use other fruit– Add or substitute melons for watermelon or peaches. These go great with this salad as well.
- Add some leafy greens– Make this a leafy green based salad by adding some arugula or spring mix.
- Add some red onions– Thinly slice some red onions to add some crunch. Try pickled red onions too!
- Turn into skewers– Skewer melon balls, mozzarella balls and prosciutto into skewer sticks. This is a great to serve this recipe as an appetizer or poolside snack.
Prosciutto Melon Salad FAQ’s
Why is prosciutto served with melon?
Prosciutto is a cured meat therefore having a very dry texture and salty taste. This makes it perfect to pair up with sweet and juicy fruit like melons. The combination of flavors and textures pair up so well and are so good. “Prosciutto e melone” has been served together for many centuries in Italy.
What to eat with melon and prosciutto?
Melon and prosciutto are great together. The two are also great when you add other foods like mozzarella, fresh mint, watermelon, peaches, etc.
Is prosciutto healthy?
Good quality prosciutto can be pretty healthy. It’s a great source of protein, vitamins and mineral salts. Prosciutto is a pretty easy to digest cured meat.
How do you pick a melon?
There are a few signs to look for when picking a melon. Specifically honeydew and cantaloupe. Give the melon a soft knock, if it has a deep hollow sound, this usually means that it is sweet and juicy. Giving the melon a sniff is another method for picking a good one. If it has a sweet aroma, this is a good sign that it’s a good melon.
How to store Prosciutto Melon Salad:
Prosciutto Melon Salad is better when served right away. If you have any leftover salad, place it in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated for 1-2 days.
Did you like this Prosciutto Melon Salad recipe? You may also like these other refreshing salad recipes:
Prosciutto Melon Salad
This Prosciutto Melon Salad is so refreshing, sweet, salty and delicious. Perfect summer salad to make as a snack, appetizer or side dish; and enjoy on a sunny pool day, cook-out, or beach picnic. Made with cured prosciutto, sweet and juicy melons, mozzarella balls, and fresh mint.
Ingredients
- 4 oz prosciutto
- 1/2 small cantaloupe
- 1/2 small honeydew
- 8 oz mozzarella balls
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Take half of a cantaloupe and half of a honeydew and scoop seeds out of both. Use a melon baller and start scooping out melon balls from both melons. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
Drain mozzarella balls and add them into bowl along with melon balls. Take your prosciutto and rip apart into smaller bite size pieces. I usually take one slice and break it down into 3 small pieces. Place into bowl with the rest of prepped ingredients.
Take Mint leaves and thinly slice them. In a small mixing bowl combine lime juice, honey and olive oil. Mix together and drizzle over salad. Add in sliced mint leaves and give salad a good toss making sure it is well coated with dressing.
Chill salad for at least 20-30 minutes then serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- You will need a melon baller– They are pretty cheap and a great tool to have. If you don’t have one, just cube or cut your melon into bite size chunks. The salad won’t look as aesthetically pleasing, however it will still be as delicious.
- Substitute for melons– If you don’t like other honeydew or cantaloupe, you can use watermelon as a substitute. Peaches are also great for this recipe.
- Substitute for honey– You can use maple syrup.
- Chill salad before serving– This salad is best when chilled. Keep refrigerated for at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
