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These tasty appetizers with prosciutto feature sweet bites of watermelon paired with salty Pecorino Romano and meaty Italian ham that makes for a bold yet easy appetizer.

Do you ever get creative with food?

I love to mix it up!

I remember my father in law loved to sprinkle salt on his watermelon.

Doesn’t this seem unusual? But he had the right idea.

Salty and sweet makes the perfect combination and these little bites celebrate the sweetness of summer.

This impressive appetizer is easy to assemble and uses three simple ingredients that are perfect for get togethers to celebrate the summer holiday season.

Juicy, ripe red watermelon and salty prosciutto are the stars of these delicious bites.

Watermelon is finally available at the grocery store and I can’t resist the sweet fruit.

We eat it all summer long in my house.

Close up of melon and prosciutto ham with a toothpick on a plate

What you’ll need for these simple appetizers

This is an easy and elegant appetizer to serve before the main course. Your close friends will be asking you where to find the ingredients to make it next time. I like to serve these at summer parties with a few other appetizer recipes and a selection of great white and red wines.

Watermelon. I love this recipe with cubed watermelon, but any kind of melon will do. The taste is just as delicious with cantaloupe or honeydew.

Prosciutto. Head straight to the deli counter for this favorite Italian food. You can find slices of prosciutto already packaged if not available from your deli. If you can’t find prosciutto slices, parma ham, a type of prosciutto called Prosciutto de Parma, is a great substitute as is pieces of cooked bacon.

Pecorino Romano cheese. Grab a wedge of this salty cheese. Parmesan cheese will also work as will fresh mozzarella balls, called ciliegine or bocconcini on the packaging.

Olive Oil. Just a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil marries the flavors.

Black Pepper. It adds just enough kick to liven any dinner party.

How to assemble these appetizers

Chop up the sweet watermelon into bite-sized chunks, pair it with the meaty flavor of prosciutto and the salty, firm bite of Pecorino Romano cheese.

Serve these bites on a cutting board garnished with fresh basil leaves or rosemary.

Sometimes I will even drizzle balsamic glaze on the board when serving this appetizer.

Serve it alongside shrimp cocktail or any charcuterie board.

Sprinkled with black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, these make the perfect morsels for any party or picnic.

The salty flavors from the piece of prosciutto and the Pecorino Romano blended with the hint of sweetness from the watermelon work together for an reaction that your taste buds will thank you for.

Ways to eat prosciutto

Wrap it. Fruit like slices of melon and cantaloupe are delicious wrapped in prosciutto and topped with a basil leaf. Also, pears and figs are great for the sweet and salty combination. Asparagus spears also are easy appetizer ideas. Be sure to steam the spears before wrapping.

Skewer it. Toothpicks or skewers are easy stand up appetizers. Just spear together small mozzarella balls and grape tomatoes with delicious prosciutto.

Top it. Toasts baguette slices and top with goat cheese, blue cheese or ricotta and top with fresh fruit and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.

I am a fan of sweet and savory appetizers and these tasty treats are so delicious. Watermelon is just delicious with this recipe.

We love to eat watermelon in the summer because it is easy to find and we love to eat it plain but also enjoy it in cocktails, fruit salads and it’s a great topper for grilled fish.

Other appetizer ideas using fresh fruit

I love using fresh fruits in the summer for appetizers.

My peach crostini appetizer uses fresh peaches and a drizzle of honey mixed into whipped ricotta on a baguette slice.

My strawberry crostini appetizers recipe features sweet strawberries and whipped ricotta and topped with a basil leaf or two.

Put these ideas on your party menu and shopping list for the next time you host friends.

Be the hit at the next party and serve these watermelon appetizers with prosciutto.

Easy summer recipes featuring watermelon

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