Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
I fell in love with prosciutto-wrapped melon in Tuscany. These enticing Melon and Prosciutto Skewers with a drizzle of basil oil swept me back to Italy. Wouldn’t they be perfect for your next picnic or summer party?
The classic Italian pairing of Prosciutto e Melone is easily made into finger food by using picks and threading on bite-sized melon pieces, mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and prosciutto.
Why You Should Make Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
When I was in my 20’s, my parents spent a couple of summers in Cortona, Italy, in the hills of Tuscany. My mom was teaching a study abroad course and I took my first trip across the Atlantic.
I saw the sites of Rome, Florence, Venice, and Spoleto, but most vivid were the memories of incredible dishes prepared for the faculty in that quaint walled town. Grilled trout, stuffed zucchini blossoms, and my first taste of succulent Italian melon wrapped in paper-thin and salty Prosciutto de Parma.
- This combination of ingredients has been popular for over a century!
- This sweet and salty pairing will tantalize your taste buds!
- Adding mozzarella cheese and a simple drizzle of basil oil makes for a delicious, memorable twist on the classic pairing.
History of Prosciutto and Melon Appetizers
The ancient Romans touted the practice of eating cold, moist foods with hot, dry food to balance the “elements” of fire, air, earth, and water. But the first written recipe for prosciutto et melone wasn’t until centuries later when Pellegrino Artusi published it in his 1890s cookbook. This combination regained popularity in the 1960s as a classic Italian summer dish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prosciutto e Melone
So with summer approaching, I thought back to the spectacular starter AKA Prosciutto e Melone (Italian ham with melon) I first tasted decades ago. I merged that delectable combination with my favorite Caprese salad ingredients and, voila, the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Pair these with some Antipasto Skewers on a big party platter and dazzle your guests.
The Wine Buzz recommends a dry Prosecco, Riesling, Moscato d’Astis, a dry Rose or a lighter Pinot Noir.
The skewers can be served on a simple white platter or stacked on a plate. If you’re wrapping wedges of cantaloupe with prosciutto, a knife and fork is nice for cutting into bite-sized pieces. They can be part of a cheese board or served on a platter. Drizzle with the basil oil or reduced balsamic vinegar for an elegant addition.
Select a ripe, fragrant canteloupe while in season. Slice it in half, remove the seeds, slice into wedges and remove the rind. Wrap each slice with 1-2 slices of Prosciutto de Parma, the real stuff!
More Summer Party Recipes
These appetizers would be marvelous for any summer gathering! Check out all the spectacular recipes below.
- No-Bake Nutella Cheesecake Shooters by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Sweet and Salty Popcorn Ball Bites by The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Muenster and Spinach Pinwheels
- White Queso Dip
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Cheese Straw Tomato Tartlets
- Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
- More of the Best Appetizer Recipes
Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
These Italian inspired skewers feature melon, mozzarella, prosciutto and grape tomatoes! Adapted from Bon Appetit.
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- 1 small shallot
- 1 small or half a medium cantaloupe, cut into slices, then chunks
- Small fresh mozzarella balls
- Sliced prosciutto, cut in half lengthwise, and folded into ruffle
- Small cherry or grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Pulse or puree olive oil, basil and shallot in food processor or blender till basil and shallot are finely chopped.
- Alternate one piece of melon, one piece of prosciutto, one mozzarella ball, another prosciutto ruffle, a grape tomato, a third prosciutto ruffle and then one more piece of melon on each skewer.
- Place skewers on platter. Drizzle with basil oil and garnish with sprigs of basil before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 70mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
43 Comments on “Melon and Prosciutto Skewers”
love how simple, yet fancy these are!
LIzzy,
I must have said this many times but prosciutto and mozzarella are my favorites. There’s no need to make them look as lovely as you have, I would just devour them.
Annamaria
Such a simple, lovely, and elegant appetizer.
A classic, Liz! I love the sweet and salty combo!
These little skewers are exactly the things I like to pack in my school lunches. This combination looks truly wonderful. Stealing this one, thanks.
This is definitely perfect for any red carpet party. They look so elegant and I love how easy they are to make. Melon and prosciutto are a great combo!
I just love the color combination! Almost, but not quite, too pretty to eat! 🙂
I think these sound fabulous! I’ve never really been a fan of cantaloupe but in think it would be great paired with prosciutto. Pinned and stumbled!
I just watched Triple D last week and went all around Italy- all I can say is wow. That is food heaven over there. I was telling my mom the most incredible part about authentic Italian cuisine, from what I could tell, is how simple it is. Their dishes look so simple to make, yet I think it is the fresh and wholesome ingredients that make it so much better. I hope to go someday and try it all for myself. What an experience that must have been for you Lizzy!
These skewers are a great idea for any party. I love prosciutto!! These are so elegant. I could probably eat them all.
Toodles,
Tammy<3
Looks so pretty and I bet it tastes even better!
That’s kicking melon and prosciutto up a few notches, which is hard to do in my book, because I love the combination. Such beautiful flavors and colors!
How grrrrreat is that, Liz? Wow you were in Italy for a semester? A year? Lucky you to have tasted the prosciutto perfection in the land from whence the appetizer originated =) Thank you for sharing the replication how-to!
What an awesome memory! And a fabulous recipe! Now I know how you stay skinny!
Prosciutto makes everything yummy! This is a great combination! Light and delicious! I need a glass of wine…
What amazing little bites of perfection! Perfect for tonight’s event!
I love what you’ve done here, Liz. Creamy, sweet, salty and tangy. Perfection.
This is definitely perfect for a party – so easy to make. That basil oil sounds like it would be good on just about anything too.
Mellon and prosciutto is a great combination of flavors. What wonderful memories!
Wow what a fabulous combination Liz! Classy yet delicious with every bite!
My husband and I went to Italy about 12 years ago. It was the best trip we have ever taken. These remind me of that fabulous trip. Simple ingredients that taste stunning.