10 Ways to Set Up Prosciutto on a Charcuterie Board

 

Charcuterie boards are quickly becoming popular in households all across the USA. However, there was a time when these boards were only found in the homes of the elite on rare occasions. This is because the ingredients used to assemble the board are mostly gourmet and sometimes overpriced.

It is essential to source your charcuterie board ingredients from an Italian grocery store. This is because, along with authentic and affordable gourmet ingredients, you can find many more items to pair with your cured meats and fermented cheeses.

However, you must know how to set up your charcuterie board and the exact taste and texture of the meat at the center of your dish.

So, you’ve chosen Prosciutto? Great choice! Let’s learn more about this popular meat and how you can set it up on a charcuterie board;

Why Are Charcuterie Boards So Popular?

Charcuterie boards are popular, not just for the way they look but also for how they make you feel. These serving boards often include a variety of gourmet cheeses, cold and smoked meats, herbs, fruits, vegetables, jams, and much more. Here are some reasons you should assemble a board;

 

1.     It’s Great for Events

If you are planning on hosting a get-together and don’t know what to serve for food, consider a charcuterie board. This is especially useful if you are planning to host your guests at a time when both lunch and dinner would be considered inappropriate.

For those in-between cravings, assemble that board and let your guests decide what they want to snack on. Be it fresh fruits, cheese, or cured meats they like, a charcuterie board offers something for everyone.

2.     It Is Affordable

Charcuterie boards and the ingredients used to assemble them may have been expensive in the past. However, they have become much more affordable today.

With authentic Italian grocery stores bringing the Italy market to the USA, buying a charcuterie board and getting some gourmet ingredients to assemble your first board has become much easier.

3.     It’s the New Trend

One of the biggest reasons charcuterie boards are popular is simply because they are a great magnet for followers. Many Instagram influencers and even celebrities today are known to frequently post charcuterie board spreads. This is because these boards get all the clicks!

To stay relevant, it is essential to create a spread that doesn’t just look nice but also tastes great. Incorporate meats like Prosciutto and gourmet cheeses that go well with it. Remember to source all your ingredients from an authentic Italian grocery store!

4.     How They Make You Feel

People love charcuterie boards because they are a great way to squeeze in some me-time for creators and professional chefs. You can assemble an excellent tiny board with bite-sized treats and indulge in the delicacy at the end of a hard day at work.

5.     Creative Freedom

For many chefs, cooking can feel like work and unnecessary effort after a long day in the kitchen. However, away from all your job restrictions, it is necessary to take some time and figure out what you can create.

The charcuterie board is a great way to experiment. You can taste different cured meats, fruits, cheeses, and crackers together to create the perfect combination and surprise your guests the next time they come over!

Tips for Creating a Charcuterie Board

Here are some tips you can benefit from;

• Invest less in the actual board and more in the high-quality ingredients on it.
• Mix it up with some vibrant vegetables and fruits to make your board pop!
• Add a variety of textures and taste profiles to create a flavor explosion (avoid sticking to one profile).

What Is Prosciutto?

Finally, the meat you have all been waiting for! Prosciutto…

Prosciutto is one of the best Italian dry-cured hams you can choose for your charcuterie boards. You can choose between uncooked ham (Prosciutto Crudo) or cooked ham for your sandwiches (Prosciutto Cotto).

Since cured uncooked meats are best suited for charcuterie boards, we will be talking about Prosciutto Crudo today!

 

The History

The origins of Prosciutto are difficult to trace. However, we know that it was first used in Italy centuries ago as a cured produce that enhanced the flavor of ham during the colder months. Over time, the curing process got more refined, and the meat improved in taste and texture.

Today, getting the flavor profile of Prosciutto “just right” is an art that few countries have been able to master. People flock to an Italian grocery store for their Prosciutto because they are known to get it right every time!

The Procedure

Prosciutto is commonly made from the leg or thigh of a pig and has a salty flavor. The meat is usually cured by someone called a “maestro salatore,” also known as a salt master.

Once the meat is air-dried and all the moisture has been sucked from it, it will be ready for the final step. However, this small step can take months, and every salt master has their own technique. This gives different kinds of Prosciutto distinct flavors.

After the salting comes the drying. Drying rooms for cured meats contain small spaces that let the breeze in. This is why the location can produce entirely different flavors. This process can take up to three years.

The Taste Profile

It is essential to understand the flavor profile of Prosciutto as that can help you pair it up with the best ingredients for your board.

Prosciutto is salty and sweet. Depending on where you get it, the salt can overpower the sweetness, and vice versa. It is important to either taste the Prosciutto or ask the seller about the exactly flavor profile.

This cured meat is usually eaten raw, in very thin slices. It should be thin enough so that you don’t have to chew on it. A pairing with fruits such as apricots, honeydew, and peaches or vegetables like asparagus, cucumber, or peas is a great combination.

You can also pair it with pistachios, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, rosemary, and thyme on the side.

10 Ways to Set Up Prosciutto on a Charcuterie Board

Here are ten ways you can set up your Prosciutto on a board;

1.     Skewered Prosciutto

Skewers are definitely a great way to serve Prosciutto and are quite convenient when you want to plate them on a charcuterie board. To prepare for your Prosciutto board, cut up some cucumber, peaches, and mozzarella cheese.

Now all you need to do is fold up your thin slice of meat and skewer it! Add a ball of mozzarella cheese, a small cucumber cube, and a piece of peach. Try not to add too much to avoid overwhelming the flavor of the Prosciutto.

 

2.     Exotic Truffle Honey Prosciutto

It isn’t uncommon to find charcuterie board spread with items wrapped in this exotic meat. Consider wrapping up a pretzel in your Prosciutto slices. Since the slices are quite thin, it won’t be hard to wrap around other items.

You can also add a small dollop of ricotta and truffle honey on top. This adds a nice, earthy flavor to your charcuterie board!

3.     Prosciutto Wrapped Fruit

We just discussed how Prosciutto is a great pairing with peaches, but here is another recipe you can try. Try smoking or grilling some peach, wrapping it up in Prosciutto Crudo, and drizzling it with balsamic glaze (adding a spice Italian olive is optional) for sweet and savory flavors.

 

4.     Prosciutto Wrapped Vegetable

If you want to add a crispy texture to a part of your charcuterie board, you can consider boiling some asparagus (not all the way through) and wrapping them up in crisped Prosciutto Crudo for a crunchy treat! However, Prosciutto can easily get burned, so keep an eye on it!

 

5.     Prosciutto and Its Relationship With Jam

Prosciutto has had a long standing-friendship with jam ever since it was first introduced to the world. The saltiness of the cured meat paired with a fruity jam is a great combination. You can try fig jam, which has a rich flavor that can handle the Prosciutto profile.

If you feel particularly adventurous, pair it up with goat cheese or ricotta!

6.     Bruschetta Topped with Prosciutto

The best way to eat bruschetta is by toasting it and topping it with fresh Prosciutto, creamy and spreadable goat cheese, fresh rosemary and thyme, and a balsamic glaze. These textures go well together because they cover all taste profiles (the sweet, the sour, the bitter, the savory, and the salty).

7.     Prosciutto and Melon: Another Great Fruit Combination

You may not think much of a meat pairing with fruit, but it is wonderful when set up on a charcuterie board. Consider pairing Prosciutto with melon to submerge the salty flavor of the meat in the lightly sweet flavor of the melon.

With a charcuterie board, you can pair two flavor profiles on the opposite end of the spectrum or try getting two of the same flavors together. Here, we are combining a little bit of both.

The melon beautifully contrasts the sweet and salty flavor of the Prosciutto, and pairing this combination with a cheese such as Burrata is a match made in heaven. With the juices of the melon combined in the drizzling Burrata center, the Prosciutto can melt in your mouth like butter.

8.     Prosciutto and Olives

Olives, or olive oil, go great with Prosciutto. In fact, bread, olive oil, and cured meat are the building blocks of any good charcuterie board. Once you have decided which ones to go for, it is much easier to begin assembling the board.

Consider choosing a good quality Italian bread, wrapping it in Prosciutto, and drizzling it with olive oil. This combines multiple textures and flavor profiles together to produce that umami flavor you will love!

9.     Assembling Prosciutto With Elegance

One way of presenting Prosciutto is not with a pairing but on its own, wrapped in beautiful styles and set to contrast vivid colors. Try folding up your slices into rosettes and add some cheese in the middle. Drizzle it with some balsamic glaze or honey for a combination of flavors.

10.  Adding Ease to the Charcuterie Board

Make sure your Prosciutto is assembled in a way that is convenient for your guests. This is the essence of a charcuterie board.

Final Thoughts

Supermarket Italy makes it easy for beginners to assemble their first charcuterie boards. This is because this Italian grocery store has all that you need. It brings the Italy market to your doorstep no matter the requirement.

Shop at Supermarket Italy for authentic Italian ingredients such as olives, cured meats, rich cheeses, and much more.