Ina Garten’s Sunny Day Melon & Prosciutto Recipe: Garden-Fresh Joy

Summer’s sultry breeze carries whispers of a delightful Ina Garten melon & prosciutto appetizer that effortlessly captures Mediterranean charm.

Light, elegant, and surprisingly simple, this dish promises to tantalize your taste buds with its harmonious blend of sweet and salty flavors.

Ripe, juicy melons create the perfect canvas for delicate, paper-thin prosciutto slices.

Salt and pepper add subtle depth, enhancing the natural sweetness of the fruit.

Fresh herbs like mint or basil can brighten the entire composition with their aromatic touch.

This quick recipe brings restaurant-quality elegance to your table with minimal effort.

Impress your guests and savor every vibrant, refreshing bite of this classic Italian-inspired starter.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Melon and Prosciutto

• Cantaloupe: Select a ripe, fragrant melon with a sweet aroma and slight give when pressed at the stem end, ensuring maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Lemon: Choose a firm, bright yellow lemon with smooth skin to provide a zesty, bright accent that cuts through the richness of the prosciutto.

• Prosciutto: Pick thin, delicate slices of high-quality Italian dry-cured ham with marbled fat, which adds a luxurious, salty contrast to the sweet melon.

• Coarse Sea Salt: Use flaky, crunchy sea salt to enhance the natural flavors and add a delightful textural element to the dish.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Grind whole peppercorns just before serving to release their robust, spicy aromatics and provide a subtle heat.

Simple Tools for Assembling Ina Garten’s Melon Plate

• Sharp knife: Essential for precisely cutting the cantaloupe rind and slicing melon evenly.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for safely preparing and slicing the cantaloupe.
• Dinner plates: Large plates to beautifully arrange and serve the melon and prosciutto.
• Pepper mill: For grinding fresh black pepper directly onto the dish.
• Lemon squeezer (optional): Helps extract lemon juice evenly over the melon.

Assemble This Summer Appetizer

• Cantaloupe Preparation

Reveal the golden treasure inside by carefully removing the ends of the melon, creating a stable base for slicing. Skillfully glide a sharp knife down the curved sides, peeling away the tough exterior to expose the vibrant orange flesh.

• Elegant Slicing

Transform the naked melon into delicate half-moon shapes by slicing it vertically and gently removing the seeds. Create thin, uniform crosswise cuts that showcase the melon’s juicy perfection.

• Artistic Plating

Spread the melon slices across elegant dinner plates like a painter’s canvas. Gracefully drape silky prosciutto ribbons along the center of each slice, creating a stunning contrast of colors and textures.

• Final Flourish

Elevate the dish with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt and a whisper of black pepper. Add a bright splash of fresh lemon juice to awaken the flavors and bring the entire composition to life. Serve at a relaxed room temperature to capture the essence of effortless elegance.

Swaps & Serving Tips for Ina Garten’s Melon Pairing

• Choose a cantaloupe that feels heavy for its size, has a sweet aroma at the stem end, and yields slightly when pressed at the bottom for peak flavor and juiciness.
• Select thin, high-quality prosciutto slices that are translucent and delicately marbled for the best taste and texture in this simple dish.
• Briefly refrigerate the cantaloupe for 15-20 minutes before assembling to enhance its refreshing quality and provide a crisp contrast to the room-temperature prosciutto.
• Experiment by adding fresh mint leaves, a drizzle of aged balsamic glaze, or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to elevate the classic combination.
• Prep the cantaloupe and prosciutto separately up to 4 hours in advance, assembling just before serving to maintain the perfect texture and prevent sogginess.

How to Present Ina Garten’s Melon with Elegance

• Create a Charcuterie Board: Arrange the melon and prosciutto slices on a wooden board with additional cured meats, olives, and soft cheeses for an elegant appetizer spread.
• Pair with Refreshing Drinks: Serve alongside crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light sparkling prosecco to complement the sweet and salty flavors of the dish.
• Add Fresh Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle fresh basil or mint leaves on top to enhance the brightness and add a subtle aromatic touch to the classic Italian-inspired appetizer.
• Elevate with Balsamic Drizzle: Finish the plate with a gentle drizzle of aged balsamic reduction for a tangy, sweet accent that brings depth to the simple yet sophisticated starter.

Meal Prep Notes for Ina Garten’s Melon Prosciutto

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover melon and prosciutto separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Keep the cantaloupe slices in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, while prosciutto should be consumed within 1-2 days for optimal taste.
• Prevent Moisture Buildup: Place a paper towel in the container with melon slices to absorb excess liquid and prevent sogginess. This trick helps maintain the crisp texture of your cantaloupe.
• Serve at Ideal Temperature: Remove the melon from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature. Chilled melon can mute the sweet flavors, while slightly warmed fruit enhances its natural sweetness.
• Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use clean utensils when handling prosciutto and melon to prevent bacterial growth. Always wash hands and cutting boards thoroughly between preparing different ingredients.

Elegant Melon & Prosciutto Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s melon and prosciutto salad combines sweet cantaloupe with salty prosciutto for a refreshing summer appetizer. Salt, pepper, and fresh mint elevate this simple Italian-inspired dish that guests will crave.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large ripe cantaloupe
• 6 oz (170 g) thinly sliced Italian prosciutto di Parma
• Coarse sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 lemons, cut in quarters

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Instructions

1. Melon Preparation: Select a ripe, fragrant cantaloupe with a slight give at the stem end. Thoroughly wash the exterior under cool running water to eliminate surface contaminants.
2. Initial Cutting: Position the cantaloupe vertically on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, decisively slice off both ends to create a stable base for further processing.
3. Rind Removal: Standing the melon upright, carefully strip away the tough outer rind by sliding the knife downward, following the fruit’s natural curve. Rotate to ensure complete removal, revealing the vibrant orange flesh.
4. Seed Extraction and Slicing: Halve the peeled cantaloupe lengthwise, then use a spoon to remove and discard the stringy seeds and pulp. Place the halves cut-side down and slice crosswise into uniform half-inch crescents for consistent presentation.
5. Plating and Garnishing: Artfully arrange the cantaloupe slices on chilled dinner plates in an elegant fan pattern. Gracefully drape translucent prosciutto slices across the melon, creating a striking color contrast. Sprinkle coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the arrangement.
6. Final Touch and Serving: Lightly drizzle fresh lemon juice in a zigzag pattern to elevate the flavors. Serve immediately at room temperature to fully appreciate the dish’s nuanced taste and texture.

Notes

• Choose Perfectly Ripe Melon: Select a cantaloupe with a sweet fragrance and slight softness near the stem, indicating peak ripeness and maximum flavor.
• Clean Safely: Thoroughly wash the melon’s exterior under cool running water to remove potential surface bacteria and dirt before preparation.
• Master Cutting Technique: Use a sharp chef’s knife and create a stable base by trimming both ends, ensuring precise and safe slicing of the fruit.
• Temperature Matters: Serve at room temperature to allow the natural sweetness of cantaloupe and delicate saltiness of prosciutto to fully develop and complement each other.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg