Meet your new go-to summertime appetizer: Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto! Picture juicy melon, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and silky prosciutto, all brought to life with a zippy lemon mint pesto. This recipe is the definition of a refreshing crowd-pleaser—effortless to make, colorful, and guaranteed to disappear at any gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Vibrant Flavor Explosion: Sweet melon, salty prosciutto, and zesty pesto combine for a harmonious bite in every mouthful.
- Stunning Presentation: These skewers are impossibly pretty, bringing a pop of summery color and elegance to any table.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Both the skewers and the pesto can be prepped ahead, making entertaining absolutely stress-free.
- Crowd-Pleasing & Adaptable: Easy to scale up or down and totally customizable to suit tastes or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto so magical is how each fresh, simple ingredient brings its own burst of flavor and character. Let’s walk through the lineup—every element is essential for that mosaic of sweet, savory, and herbaceously bright perfection!
- Cantaloupe: Use a ripe, fragrant melon for juicy sweetness—scoop perfect spheres with a melon baller for extra elegance.
- Prosciutto: Silky, salty, and delicate, prosciutto wraps beautifully around the other ingredients for an Italian-inspired balance.
- Fresh Mozzarella (Ciliegine): Those little mozzarella balls add creamy, milky richness to tie everything together.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: A few leaves per skewer bring punchy, aromatic freshness and gorgeous color.
- Mint: For the pesto, fresh mint is the star—its cooling notes make everything pop, especially alongside the lemon.
- Lemon (zest and juice): The zest brightens, while the juice lends tang to the pesto for irresistible zing.
- Pine Nuts: Toasted for that deep, nutty undertone and classic pesto richness.
- Garlic: Just enough for a savory edge in the pesto, but not overpowering—a little goes a long way.
- Olive Oil: Use your favorite extra virgin for a peppery, fruity finish in the pesto’s silky texture.
- Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: These seasonings bring out the best in the pesto and create the perfect final balance.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make these Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto all your own—the beauty here is in their flexibility! Whether you’re looking to swap in a new fruit, cheese, or herb, there’s plenty of ways to keep this appetizer fresh, fun, and suited to your tastes.
- Try Different Melons: Swap in honeydew or watermelon for a twist on color and sweetness.
- Change Up the Cheese: Use bocconcini, fresh burrata, or small feta cubes for new textures and flavors.
- Herb Lover’s Pesto: Add extra basil, or try parsley for a different herbal note in the pesto.
- Make It Vegetarian: Skip the prosciutto and add extra veggies, such as cucumber or cherry tomatoes, for a meat-free version that’s just as refreshing.
- Go Nut-Free: Replace pine nuts with toasted pumpkin seeds or leave them out completely for allergies.
How to Make Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto
Step 1: Scoop and Prep Your Ingredients
Start by using a melon baller to scoop out beautiful, juicy cantaloupe balls. Drain your mozzarella ciliegine, tear the prosciutto into manageable strips, and wash basil leaves. Laying out your ingredients “assembly line” style will make the next step a total breeze!
Step 2: Skewer It Up!
Thread cantaloupe balls, mozzarella, basil leaves, and scrunched-up prosciutto onto wooden or metal skewers. Alternate ingredients in any order you love—there’s no wrong way! Play with the quantities for each skewer to suit your taste for sweet, salty, or creamy.
Step 3: Blitz Up the Lemon Mint Pesto
In a food processor, combine fresh mint, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, toasted pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until everything is finely chopped. With the machine running, slowly pour in the olive oil until your pesto reaches a lush, spoonable consistency. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, then blend again. Taste and tweak if needed!
Step 4: Serve and Drizzle
Arrange your finished skewers on a platter and generously drizzle with the lemon mint pesto just before serving for maximum vibrance and freshness. Alternatively, serve the pesto on the side for easy dipping—either way, you’re in for a treat.
Pro Tips for Making Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto
- Choose the Best Melon: Use a cantaloupe that smells sweet and gives slightly at the stem end for the juiciest flavor and firm texture.
- Toast Those Pine Nuts: A few minutes in a dry skillet intensifies their flavor and prevents a raw taste in your pesto.
- Scrunch, Don’t Fold: Loosely “scrunching” each prosciutto slice creates lovely ruffles that not only look beautiful, but are easier to spear and eat.
- Serve Chilled but Not Icy: If prepping ahead, let skewers sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving—this brings out all the nuanced flavors.
How to Serve Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of extra lemon zest, a flurry of chopped fresh mint, or a few toasted pine nuts over the platter for a finishing flair. The freshness and shine of these garnishes make your Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto look truly gourmet and inviting!
Side Dishes
Pair these vibrant skewers with light salads, a simple caprese, or a tangy arugula mix. They’re also wonderful alongside grilled chicken, crusty bread, or even as the star of an antipasto platter—it all works beautifully!
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the skewers standing upright in a tall glass or mason jar, or laid artfully on a long board dotted with pesto. For parties, make “mini” picks for easy one-bite snacks, or scatter edible flowers across the tray for extra wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the skewers and pesto separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The cantaloupe will stay juicy, and the pesto will keep its bright flavor for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for these skewers, since the melon and mozzarella will both lose their blissfully fresh texture, and the pesto can brown. But you can freeze leftover pesto in an ice cube tray for a future burst of summer.
Reheating
These are meant to be served chilled or at cool room temperature—no reheating needed! Just let the skewers sit out briefly before serving to recapture their aroma and best bite.
FAQs
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Can I use pre-cut cantaloupe or another kind of melon for the skewers?
Absolutely! Pre-cut cantaloupe works just fine—just aim for bite-sized pieces. You can also use honeydew, watermelon, or even mango for a delicious variation.
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How far ahead can I assemble Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto?
You can assemble the skewers up to 6 hours in advance and store them, covered, in the fridge. Drizzle or serve the pesto just before serving for the freshest flavor.
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Is there a vegetarian alternative to prosciutto for this recipe?
Yes! For a vegetarian version, replace prosciutto with thinly sliced grilled zucchini, roasted red pepper strips, or simply add extra basil and melon for a meat-free but just-as-refreshing skewer.
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What’s the best way to make the lemon mint pesto in advance?
Blend the pesto and store it in the refrigerator with a thin layer of olive oil on top to help preserve its bright color—give it a quick stir before serving, and it’ll taste freshly made!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a sunshine-bright, ultra-easy, and totally delicious appetizer, you simply have to try these Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto. Each bite is a little celebration of summer—don’t be surprised if you start finding reasons to make them again and again!
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Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 long skewers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Skewering, Food Processing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers with Lemon Mint Pesto are a delightful appetizer or snack that combines the sweetness of cantaloupe with the saltiness of prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and a zesty pesto.
Ingredients
Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers:
- 1 cantaloupe melon, scooped into balls
- 6 ounces prosciutto, torn
- 1 container fresh mozzarella ciliegine
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
Lemon Mint Pesto:
- 4 cups fresh mint
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers: Skewer cantaloupe balls, mozzarella, basil leaves, and prosciutto pieces onto skewers as desired.
- Lemon Mint Pesto: Combine mint, basil, lemon zest, juice, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse, stream in olive oil, add salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Blend until desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
