Prosciutto Wrapped Zucchini Over Melon Pasta
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1/4 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 whole ripe cantaloupe
- 4 medium zucchini
- 32 thin slices of prosciutto (see note above)
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a small pan, bring vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced to about 1/3 cup, about five or six minutes. Add a little water if it is too thick when done.
- Cut the cantaloupe the long way vertically, and seed. Take one half and slice a small piece off one end so it will stand upright. Then with a sharp knife, run between meat and skin and discard skin. Repeat for other half. Then lay the cleaned melon half seeded side down and make thin slices from one end to the other. Then lay each slice flat and with your knife or a paring knife, follow the contour of the slice and cut into strips so when you are done, the strip resembles a piece of linguini. Repeat for all slices and both halves and place in the refrigerator.
- Take each zucchini and nip off both ends. Divide each zucchini in quarters and wrap each quarter with two slices of prosciutto covering the zucchini surface. Repeat for all pieces.
- In a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat and place prosciutto wrapped zucchini in. (you will need to cook in batches).
- Brown each side (three sides) for about 2 minutes on each side or until they brown. The zucchini will not be cooked through but that is what we want in this dish. Repeat for the remaining pieces.
- To serve, pile the melon like pasta on four plates, place four pieces of the browned wrapped zucchini over the melon pasta and drizzle some of the balsamic reduction over the top of each. Then sprinkle with the chopped mint or parsley.
Notes
Try to buy a prosciutto with as little fat as possible. The brand we used was found at our local market and it was actually the domestic option. It was less expensive than the imported and better suited for this dish. It was very meaty and a little dry, which was perfect for getting a crispy wrap in this dish.
