Grilled Melon, Prosciutto & Pearl Onion Skewers
Sep 11, 2020, Updated Feb 23, 2022
Here’s an easy twist on the classic combination, cantaloupe and prosciutto! For those of you who are getting in their grill fix before the weather gets too chilly, these skewers are the perfect appetizer or snack.
I bought a beautiful little cantaloupe that was so ripe and juicy that when I cut it open, my whole cutting board flooded like a cantaloupe pond! Prosciutto cuts the intense sweetness of cantaloupe with bursts of saltiness. Grilled, prosciutto crisps up perfectly. Pearl onions add a delicate sharpness and pop in your mouth. Garnished with fresh basil, shaved parm, and balsamic glaze – these skewers make late summer sweeter for a little longer.
Makes: 4 skewers
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
The Ingredients
1 small cantaloupe, cut into bite-sized chunks
3 ounces prosciutto
6 ounces pearl onions
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic glaze
¼ cup torn basil leaves
¼ cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or regular parmesan cheese!)
4 wooden or metal skewers
TIP: if you don’t have balsamic glaze, in a small saucepan, add ½ cup regular balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat so balsamic is just simmering. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, until balsamic reduces by half (and there’s about ¼ cup vinegar left in the pot). The balsamic should be thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. Let cool!
The Steps
Preheat oven to 400. Place pearl onions on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
Slide a piece of cantaloupe, then a bite-sized folded piece of prosciutto, then a pearl onion, onto each skewer. Continue building each skewer with this process until each skewer is completely filled except for the very ends.
Preheat a grill to high heat. Place skewers on grill. Cover grill and let cook for 3-4 minutes until one side of each skewer has light grill marks. Use tongs to flip skewers to a fresh side and repeat the process for 3-4 minutes. Flip the skewers one more time and grill for 3-4 minutes. Remove skewers from grill, and transfer them to a plate.
Garnish with basil and parm shavings, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Serve room temp or warm.
The Steps with Pictures
Preheat oven to 400. Place pearl onions on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
Slide a piece of cantaloupe, then a bite-sized folded piece of prosciutto, then a pearl onion, onto each skewer. Continue building each skewer with this process until each skewer is completely filled except for the very ends.
Preheat a grill to high heat. Place skewers on grill. Cover grill and let cook for 3-4 minutes until one side of each skewer has light grill marks. Use tongs to flip skewers to a fresh side and repeat the process for 3-4 minutes. Flip the skewers one more time and grill for 3-4 minutes. Remove skewers from grill, and transfer them to a plate.
Garnish with basil and parm shavings, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Serve room temp or warm.