How to Cook Prosciutto

There are many different ways to prepare prosciutto

Prosciutto is the Italian word for ham. It is used to describe ham that has been seasoned, salt-cured and air dried. Prosciutto is not smoked. The meat is pressed flat, which causes prosciutto to been dense and firm. Prosciutto originated in Italy but it is now also made in the United States. Prosciutto cotto is cooked and prosciutto crudo is uncooked. Prosciutto crudo can be eaten as is because it is cured. You can find prosciutto in gourmet and ethnic markets as well as in larger supermarkets. Below are ways to prepare prosciutto.

Things You'll Need

• Baguette or loaf of french bread
• Garlic cloves
• Virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Mozzarella cheese
• 1 small ripe tomato, thinly sliced
• Prosciutto
• 1 lb. package angel hair pasta, cooked
• 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded diced
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• Bacon
• 4 to 5 large strawberries, diced and placed in a bowl
• 1/4 cup toasted almonds or pecans
• 2/3 cup of balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• Red leaf lettuce
• Spinach
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed in the refrigerator
• 1/2 cup Dijon honey mustard
• 3 tbsp. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp. water

Instructions

Ways to Cook Prosciutto

1. Slice a baguette lengthwise. Rub a clove of garlic over the inside of the baguette. Brush the baguette with olive oil and place it on a baking sheet with the cut sides up. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and cover with mozzarella cheese and tomato. Heat the baguette under the broiler until the cheese melts. Remove from oven and top with the prosciutto. Place back under the broiler for another 2 minutes. Remove from oven and serve hot.

2. Cook two slices of bacon in a skillet until crisp. Add the prosciutto and cook for 1 minute. Remove from skillet and cut the meat into pieces. Add the squash and two cloves of garlic to the skillet. Saute for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the chicken broth. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until the squash is soft. Add 2 oz. of feta cheese and mix. In a large bowl, mix the sauce and pasta together. Plate the pasta and top each serving with the bacon and prosciutto and the remaining 2 oz. of feta cheese.

3. Mix sugar, vinegar and strawberries. Allow the strawberries to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Place the lettuce and spinach in a bowl and drizzle with the strawberries. Sprinkle with the prosciutto and nuts. Serve immediately.

4. Lightly flour the puff pastry and roll out it out to 9 by 11 inches. Spread the Dijon mustard over the pastry. Place the prosciutto in a single layer over the mustard. Mix the cream cheese, onion powder and Parmesan cheese. Spread this mixture on top of the pastry. Roll the puff pastry up in jelly roll fashion. Press to seal the edges together. Place the seam side down on a baking sheet and brush with the egg and water. Bake in a 400 F oven for 20 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips & Warnings

• Prosciutto can be added to cooked foods, like pasta, at the last minute.

• Be careful not to overcook prosciutto; it will become tough.

Resources

• Buy Prosciutto Online