The Perfect Cheese Pairing For Prosciutto: A Guide

Prosciutto is a delicate Italian meat, often served on charcuterie boards, in sandwiches or in pasta and salads. Its dry-curing process gives it a unique, buttery texture and a slightly sweet and salty flavour. When it comes to cheese, prosciutto is best paired with something that will complement its savoury taste. Popular choices include Parmigiano-Reggiano, provolone, mozzarella, and Gorgonzola. Parmigiano-Reggiano, for example, has a nutty, salty flavour that goes well with prosciutto, and is a classic Italian pairing.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

When creating a prosciutto board, pairing the meat with complementary cheeses, fruits, and wines is essential. Parmigiano-Reggiano's nutty and salty notes make it an excellent match for prosciutto, and you can further enhance this combination by adding fruits like cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or pear, which provide a crisp, sweet contrast to the delicate prosciutto.

For a classic Italian experience, pair your prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano with a glass of Chianti, a red wine with bright acidity and fruity notes. Alternatively, a light, bubbly Prosecco or a crisp Pinot Grigio will also complement this pairing well.

If you're feeling creative, try wrapping a slice of prosciutto around a piece of Parmigiano-Reggiano to make a delicious appetizer. You can also grate Parmigiano-Reggiano on top of a pasta dish that features prosciutto, or even try making a panini with prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and crunchy crackers for added texture.

Mozzarella

When creating a prosciutto board, mozzarella is a must-have, and it is a classic Italian pairing that is sure to impress.

Blue cheese

To create a harmonious flavour profile, consider serving blue cheese and prosciutto with complementary foods. Fresh or dried figs, for example, would add a rich sweetness that balances the salty and sharp notes of the blue cheese and prosciutto. Pears are another excellent option, providing a crisp, sweet contrast to the delicate prosciutto and salty blue cheese.

For a more substantial meal, blue cheese and prosciutto can be combined with other ingredients to create a satisfying dish. Try wrapping pieces of prosciutto around chunks of blue cheese and grilling them for a warm, savoury treat. Or, for a heartier option, layer prosciutto and blue cheese on a sandwich with arugula and tomatoes for a flavourful bite.

Feta

If you want to get creative, you could also experiment with different types of feta. As mentioned, sheep's milk feta has a more buttery flavour, but there are also other varieties, such as goat's milk feta, which has a slightly tangier, sharper flavour. This could be an interesting twist on the classic pairing, and might be worth trying if you're looking for something a little different.

Provolone

When paired with prosciutto, the flavours in Provolone complement the meat wonderfully. The smooth and delicate texture of Provolone contrasts the sweet-savoury flavour of prosciutto. You can enjoy this cheese hard or melted with your prosciutto.

If you are creating a charcuterie board, you can add other meats such as salami and pepperoni, as well as cheeses like brie and goat cheese, crackers, nuts, and pretzels. Fruits like melons and grapes can also provide a sweet balance to the salty prosciutto and Provolone.

For a classic Italian pairing, a light, bubbly wine like Prosecco or a crisp, refreshing Pinot Grigio can complement the saltiness of prosciutto.

Frequently asked questions