Makes 20 purses

Notes

I was first served a similar dish by my friend Carlo at Galloni Prosciutto in Langhirano, near Parma. He took thin slices of prosciutto, stuffed them with Robiola, and tied them closed with a chive. A mouthful of flavor. Here I cook them and use an aged cheese, which is more tasty than a fresh cheese. Cook the “purses” just long enough to brown them. Overcooking will make them salty, and since Prosciutto di Parma is an air-cured product, it doesn’t need to be cooked to be rendered edible. When buying the prosciutto, ask for slices from the widest part of the ham, measuring about 8 by 4 inches.

Ingredients

  • 20 sturdy fresh chives, each at least 5 inches long
  • 10 thin slices Prosciutto di Parma, each approximately 8 by 4 inches
  • ½ cup grated Grana Padano
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Ripe fresh figs, quartered, or ½-inch cubes of ripe cantaloupe or honeydew melon, for serving
Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian

Cookbook

Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian

BUY NOW

Directions

Bring a large skillet of water to a boil, and add the chives. Stir, separating the chives gently, just until they turn bright green, about 5 seconds. Transfer them with a slotted spoon to a bowl of cold water, and let stand a few seconds to stop the cooking. Remove the chives, and drain them on paper towels.

Cut the prosciutto slices in half crosswise to make pieces that measure approximately 4 by 4 inches. Place 1 teaspoon grated cheese in the center of each square. Gather the edges of the prosciutto over the cheese to form a “purse” with a rounded bottom and a ruffled top. Pinch the prosciutto firmly where it is gathered, and tie around this “neck” with a length of chive. Continue with remaining prosciutto slices, cheese, and chives.

In a large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over low heat. Add half of the purses, and cook, shaking the skillet very gently, until the undersides are golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and cook the remaining purses in the same manner. Serve hot with fresh figs or ripe melon pieces.

Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian

Cookbook

Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian

BUY NOW