How to Fold Prosciutto for Charcuterie Board
A classic charcuterie board is loaded down with delicious types of meat, cheese, fruit, and other foods. Because meat, specifically prosciutto a lot of times, is often the focal point of the charcuterie board, learning how to fold prosciutto for a charcuterie board, is a great way to turn an average snack board, into something gorgeous.
The Perfect Charcuterie Board
If you’re making a large or small charcuterie board, it is often decked out, so that you can barely see the board beneath all of the food.
A charcuterie board is a great addition to any gathering, no matter what you are celebrating, or if it is simply a dinner party the best part of making your own charcuterie board, is that you can select your favorite ingredients to add the board, making it a great appetizer that everyone will enjoy. After all, great appetizers set the mood for your gathering, and get it off on the right foot.
What is Charcuterie?
The term charcuterie is actually a French word referring to deli meat. Today, it is a food trend, not only in France but has spread throughout North America. You will often find a beautiful wooden cutting board loaded down with all kinds of delicious food and served as an appetizer.
Types of Meats
Meet in one of the main ingredients included on a charcuterie board. Or rather, meat can be a focal point of the charcuterie board, depending on how you want to make it.
Typically, Italian meats make some of the best meat to include on your board, but you can also explore the different types of deli meat available at your grocery store.
You can include a variety of flavors, in your charcuterie meats, or you can simply select your personal favorites. Sometimes it also boils down to what your budget allows, as deli meats can get expensive.
The most common types of meat, that are included on a charcuterie board include slices of salami, pepperoni, and prosciutto.
No matter if you choose to include hard salami, Italian salami, or genoa salami, whatever your favorite type of salami, as always, a great addition to your charcuterie board. Plus, you can arrange salami in such fun ways.
Pepperoni is another fun type of meat to include on your charcuterie board. You can add whatever type of pepperoni you like the best, and arrange it in several different fun ways.
Out of all the different types of meats you may choose to include on your charcuterie board, today we are going to specifically focus on prosciutto, which makes delicious meat to include on your charcuterie board.
What is Prosciutto?
Prosciutto is an Italian term, for a specific kind of ham product. This type of meat is very thin and is a delicacy. It is unsmoked and uncooked, but it is a type of cured ham.
How to Fold Prosciutto for Charcuterie Boards
There are several different ways you can fold prosciutto to serve on your charcuterie boards. Below we are going to outline each of these ways you can liven up the basic piece of prosciutto slices of meat.
Some of these ideas are very simple ways you can arrange the prosciutto slices, while others are slightly more difficult. But never fear, there are many different shapes you can fold and arrange them in, that will enhance the overall elegance of your charcuterie board.
Prosciutto Roses
Making prosciutto flowers is one of the prettiest ways to display prosciutto, however, it can be a bit more complicated to make roses out of these meat products rather than out of salami, or pepperoni.
To make prosciutto roses, you were going to need a circle cookie cutter, to cut the prosciutto into round shapes. Then, take each round shape, and fold it in half over the rim of a shot glass, or another type a small glass.
Continue adding folded circles, overlapping each one halfway, until you have completed the first round. Add a second round, in a similar manner, and then turn the glass upside down, to remove the prosciutto rose onto your charcuterie board.
Prosciutto Rosette
You can make a prosciutto rosette, by cutting a piece of prosciutto so that it is approximately a half-inch high. Roll the slice of prosciutto so that the fat side is at the base.
Roll the rosette, holding the fat side tight, and letting the rest of the rosette, roll up loosely. These rosettes can then be held together at the base with a toothpick if needed and added to your charcuterie board.
Little Piles (Pretty Piles)
Making pretty little piles of prosciutto is an easy way to make the display super simple, but also beautiful. To do this, simply take your slices of prosciutto, gently fold and overlap them slightly.
With this method, there is no right or wrong way to arrange your meat products. You simply guide them into little piles of meat that are slightly overlapping.
Prosciutto Fan
Making your slice of prosciutto into a fan is also a fun way to display the meat. To do this, there are only a few simple steps.
Start by folding the slice of prosciutto in half the long way, then working from one into the other, fold it back and forth like a fan, until the slice is completely folded.
Pinch it at the bottom, then set it on your charcuterie board.
Prosciutto Wrap
Prosciutto can also be used as a wrap, around crackers, meat, or other foods. This is a super simple way to fold your prosciutto.
Simply select what you want to wrap it around, then roll the food inside of your prosciutto. You can secure it with a toothpick, or simply lay it on your charcuterie board.
Quarter Fold Prosciutto (Flower Fold)
Making a corner fold with your prosciutto is another fun way to display it on your charcuterie board.
To make a quarter fold out of the prosciutto, begin first by folding your shirt prosciutto in half. Fold it in half one more time, so that you end up with a quarter fold. You can arrange these quarter folds on your charcuterie board however you wish.
Half Fold or Ribbon
Making a half fold or ribbon is very similar to making a fan shape, only the main difference is that the fan is folded in small shapes, whereas the ribbon has larger folds.
To make a prosciutto ribbon, start by folding the piece of meat in half the long way. Then working back and forth, fold the prosciutto into wider pieces using a fan fold.
This will give you the result of prosciutto in the shape of ribbon candy. You may want to pinch your meat at the bottom, to help it hold together, or gently press it onto your charcuterie board to help it stay in place. You can also use a toothpick to secure it in place if needed.
A fun way to display these ribbons is to arrange the folded prosciutto in small bowls and then add it to your board before serving.
Prosciutto Cups
You can also bake prosciutto cups, to add to the charcuterie board. These are baked prosciutto, usually with goat cheese, milk, and chives to fill the center.
To make prosciutto cups, fold the prosciutto in half, then cut it on the front line to make two equal halves. Place each piece of prosciutto into a mini muffin pan, then bake at 400°F for approximately eight minutes.
While they are baking, mix together ½ cup goat cheese, 1 Tbsp milk, and 1 Tbsp finely minced chives or green onions.
After the prosciutto has been baked, remove it from the oven, then spoon the goat cheese mixture into the center of the baked prosciutto. Add to your charcuterie board and serve right away before enjoying.
Prosciutto Seashell
A prosciutto seashell is made by folding the piece of meat in half long ways, then rolling it onto itself until the whole piece is rolled up. The finished folded meat resembles a conch seashell. This is a very simple, yet fun way to add texture to your appetizer board.
Prosciutto Rollup
The last method you can use to fold your prosciutto is to simply create a meat roll-up. To make a prosciutto rollup, you will simply take a slice of meat, then fold it in half the long way, if desired. Then roll the meat evenly, so that it creates a nice rolled shape. Add the rolls of prosciutto to your charcuterie board as desired.
Now that you know several different methods you can use to fold prosciutto for your charcuterie board, let’s explore other types of ingredients you may wish to include on your appetizer board in addition to meat.
Other Ingredient Ideas
Types of Cheese
Adding a variety of cheeses to your appetizer, it’s a great addition to your cheese board. Different kinds of cheeses will create different textures on your board, which is always a good rule of thumb to follow.
Some great options to consider include blue cheese, goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, brie cheese, or other types of slices of cheese. You may also consider adding different aged cheddar, soft cheeses, or some types of hard cheese.
A simple addition of slices of cheese is very easy to do, and you can select your favorite variety of cheese to add. You can always cut the cheese into cubes, to add to your charcuterie board as well depending on your personal preferences.
There are so many great options of cheese to choose from, but the best cheeses really depend on your personal taste preferences.
Fruit
You can also choose to add a variety of fresh fruit, or dried fruits to the charcuterie board as well for an additional sweet flavor. Fruit can also serve as adding different textures, and flavors to the board to make it sweet and savory.
Herbs
Adding small sprigs of fresh herbs is a beautiful addition to the charcuterie board as well. Things like a spring of fresh rosemary will add flavor and texture to the board.
Crackers or Bread
You may also want to consider adding things like crackers, baguette slices, small bread, or pretzels to the charcuterie board as well.
Storage
Room Temperature. Your charcuterie board, which contains ingredients such as meat, or cheese should be kept at room temperature for no more than two hours before it goes bad.
In the fridge. For longer storage, the charcuterie board should be stored in the refrigerator, either sealed in an airtight container or wrapped securely with plastic wrap. Most charcuterie board items can last in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days when stored properly.
Variation
In addition to using prosciutto to achieve all of these different folds, you can also use other types of deli meat as well. Some of the best shapes and forms are often made with salami, or pepperoni in addition to the prosciutto.
One of our favorite things to make with other meats is the salami Rose, or pepperoni forward to make a rose as well. Feel free to get creative and mix things up, adding other meats in addition to the prosciutto if desired.
Simple Charcuterie Board
Making a charcuterie board is a way for you to express your talent through works of art. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but in fact, can be quite simple to make this easy appetizer.
You can follow instructions to make different folds with the meat, to display them in an elegant manner, which is surprisingly simple to make, but will still wow your guests.
This tutorial on how to fold prosciutto for a charcuterie board has been helpful to you. Now it’s time to get started creating your charcuterie board. We hope you enjoy it!
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How to Fold Prosciutto for Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- Prosciutto
Instructions
Prosciutto Roses
- Making prosciutto flowers is one of the prettiest ways to display prosciutto, however, it can be a bit more complicated to make roses out of these meat products rather than out of salami, or pepperoni.
- To make prosciutto roses, you were going to need a circle cookie cutter, to cut the prosciutto into round shapes. Then, take each round shape, and fold it in half over the rim of a shot glass, or another type a small glass.
- Continue adding folded circles, overlapping each one halfway, until you have completed the first round. Add a second round, in a similar manner, and then turn the glass upside down, to remove the prosciutto rose onto your charcuterie board.
Prosciutto Rosette
- You can make a prosciutto rosette, by cutting a piece of prosciutto so that it is approximately a half-inch high. Roll the slice of prosciutto so that the fat side is at the base.
- Roll the rosette, holding the fat side tight, and letting the rest of the rosette, roll up loosely. These rosettes can then be held together at the base with a toothpick if needed and added to your charcuterie board.
Little Piles (Pretty Piles)
- Making pretty little piles of prosciutto is an easy way to make the display super simple, but also beautiful. To do this, simply take your slices of prosciutto, gently fold and overlap them slightly.
- With this method, there is no right or wrong way to arrange your meat products. You simply guide them into little piles of meat that are slightly overlapping.
Prosciutto Fan
- Making your slice of prosciutto into a fan is also a fun way to display the meat. To do this, there are only a few simple steps.
- Start by folding the slice of prosciutto in half the long way, then working from one into the other, fold it back and forth like a fan, until the slice is completely folded.
- Pinch it at the bottom, then set it on your charcuterie board.
Prosciutto Wrap
- Prosciutto can also be used as a wrap, around crackers, meat, or other foods. This is a super simple way to fold your prosciutto.
- Simply select what you want to wrap it around, then roll the food inside of your prosciutto. You can secure it with a toothpick, or simply lay it on your charcuterie board.
Quarter Fold Prosciutto (Flower Fold)
- Making a corner fold with your prosciutto is another fun way to display it on your charcuterie board.
- To make a quarter fold out of the prosciutto, begin first by folding your shirt prosciutto in half. Fold it in half one more time, so that you end up with a quarter fold. You can arrange these quarter folds on your charcuterie board however you wish.
Half Fold or Ribbon
- Making a half fold or ribbon is very similar to making a fan shape, only the main difference is that the fan is folded in small shapes, whereas the ribbon has larger folds.
- To make a prosciutto ribbon, start by folding the piece of meat in half the long way. Then working back and forth, fold the prosciutto into wider pieces using a fan fold.
- This will give you the result of prosciutto in the shape of ribbon candy. You may want to pinch your meat at the bottom, to help it hold together, or gently press it onto your charcuterie board to help it stay in place. You can also use a toothpick to secure it in place if needed.
- A fun way to display these ribbons is to arrange the folded prosciutto in small bowls and then add it to your board before serving.
Prosciutto Cups
- You can also bake prosciutto cups, to add to the charcuterie board. These are baked prosciutto, usually with goat cheese, milk, and chives to fill the center.
- To make prosciutto cups, fold the prosciutto in half, then cut it on the front line to make two equal halves. Place each piece of prosciutto into a mini muffin pan, then bake at 400°F for approximately eight minutes.
- While they are baking, mix together ½ cup goat cheese, 1 Tbsp milk, and 1 Tbsp finely minced chives or green onions.
- After the prosciutto has been baked, remove it from the oven, then spoon the goat cheese mixture into the center of the baked prosciutto. Add to your charcuterie board and serve right away before enjoying.
Prosciutto Seashell
- A prosciutto seashell is made by folding the piece of meat in half long ways, then rolling it onto itself until the whole piece is rolled up. The finished folded meat resembles a conch seashell. This is a very simple, yet fun way to add texture to your appetizer board.
Prosciutto Rollup
- The last method you can use to fold your prosciutto is to simply create a meat roll-up. To make a prosciutto rollup, you will simply take a slice of meat, then fold it in half the long way, if desired. Then roll the meat evenly, so that it creates a nice rolled shape. Add the rolls of prosciutto to your charcuterie board as desired.
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