A fresh twist on a timeless Italian classic, this Prosciutto di Carpegna Caprese layers ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and delicate slices of Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO in an elegant glass. Perfect as a light lunch, entrée or entertaining appetiser, it’s a simple recipe that celebrates premium ingredients with minimal preparation
For those unfamiliar with Carpegna, it’s a charming village in central northern Italy. This special prosciutto has been crafted here for centuries, with the Beretto family upholding its traditional methods for nearly 200 years. The village’s unique microclimate—cool winters, warm summers, and gentle mountain breezes—creates the perfect conditions for producing top-quality prosciutto.
What kind of pigs are used for Prosciutto di Carpegna?
The pigs used for Prosciutto di Carpegna are of the Pesante Padano breed, renowned for their succulent hind legs. These legs are carefully massaged with sea salt from the Cervi marshes before being aged for around 20 months under a special coating known as ‘stucco’. This ancient blend of lard, salt, and secret spices, including paprika and pepper, helps to preserve and enhance the prosciutto’s unique flavour. Each leg is then tested by hand to ensure it meets the high standards required for DOP certification.
And now, the exceptional Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO is available across Australia in Woolworths stores, and you’ll find it on the menus of top restaurants around the country. Whether you’re a professional chef or a passionate home cook, I urge you to experience this remarkable product for yourself.
How else can I serve Prosciutto di Carpegna?
- There’s Prosciutto—and Then There’s Carpegna
- Prosciutto di Carpegna Wrapped Whiting with Peas
- Prosciutto di Carpegna and Prawn Cocktail
Why serve Caprese in a glass?
Serving Caprese in a glass is a simple way to elevate a classic Italian favourite while making it easier to enjoy at parties and gatherings. Individual glasses create a stylish presentation, eliminate the need for serving utensils and make portion control effortless.
They’re perfect for stand-up cocktail parties, where guests can comfortably hold a glass in one hand while mingling. The layers of ripe tomato, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and delicate Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO also look beautiful through the glass, adding colour and elegance to your grazing table.
Best of all, they’re easy to prepare ahead of time. Assemble the tomato and mozzarella layers a few hours before your guests arrive, then top with the prosciutto, basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil just before serving. It’s a fun, fuss-free way to entertain that delivers maximum impact with minimal effort.
Prosciutto di Carpegna Caprese in a glass
- Total Time20 minutes
- YieldServes 4
Fresh, colourful and effortlessly elegant, this Prosciutto di Carpegna Caprese layers ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and premium Italian prosciutto for a modern take on the classic Caprese salad.
Ingredients
- 1 large red tomato, thickly sliced into 4 rounds
- 4 tablespoons cottage cheese
- 6 slices prosciutto, torn
- 1 punnet cherry or grape tomatoes, mixed colours, quartered
- 1 punnet baby bocconcini, drained, halved
- 1/2 cup basil, torn
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Cracked black pepper
- Micro herbs to garnish
Instructions
- Place a thick slice of ripe tomato into the base of each serving glass.
- Spread a generous layer of cottage cheese over the tomato, smoothing it evenly with the back of a spoon.
- Line the inside of each glass with a slice of Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO, gently pressing it against the sides.
- Combine the cherry tomatoes, baby bocconcini and torn basil leaves in a small bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, season with freshly cracked black pepper, and toss gently to coat.
- Spoon the tomato mixture into each glass. Finish with a few micro herbs and a delicate ribbon of Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO for an elegant garnish.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving. If chilling, add the final prosciutto garnish just before serving to maintain its delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO
- Method: Salad
- Cuisine: Modern Australian
You must be logged in to post a comment.