This Melon, mozzarella & parma ham salad with a honey & mustard vinaigrette is a delicious summer salad. Light and fresh the creamy Mozzarella creates a lovely texture and flavour contrast to the sweet melon and salty Parma ham. Served on a bed of crunchy watercress and rocket leaves with honey and Dijon mustard vinaigrette it makes the perfect starter for a feast.

Ingredients to make melon, mozzarella and parma ham salad laid out on a board

Thin slices of Parma ham (prosciutto) wrapped around melon wedges are a true Italian summer classic. With only a handful of ingredients, this simple salad comes together in minutes.

I first published this recipe as part of an Italian menu but wanted it to have a dedicated post. For my main course, I made tagliatelle with roasted butternut and mascarpone sauce, and for dessert, I did a Limoncello crème with a nut crumble.

INGREDIENTS

Find the full recipe in the card below

Melon I used spanspek/ Cantaloupe but Honeydew melon would also be delicious
Prosciutto/Parma Ham
Fresh Mozzarella –bocconcini or burrata will also work
Arugula / Rocket
Watercress
Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Honey & mustard
salt & pepper

A close up of a melon, mozzarella & parma ham salad recipe

How to make melon and parma ham salad

Cut the melon in half and then scoop out a few balls with a melon baller. It looks pretty to cut wedges and make balls.

Cut the rest of the melon into thin wedges then remove the hard outer skin.

Slive the mozzarella into slices then cut those in half.

Have all the elements ready and in the fridge.

Can I make melon and parma ham salad in advance?

You can cut the melon (wedges or balls) and store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

cut the mozzarella and make the dressing in advance but only assemble the salad just before serving as the watercress and arugula/rocket will wilt quickly.

Melon, prosciutto,and mozzarella salad with arugula and watercress and a honey & mustard vinaigrette

What to serve this melon salad with

This salad works best served on its own and makes a delicious starter.

You could serve this part of an Italian mezze table with a few other cold meats and vegetables.

A few easy salad recipes:

Nectarine and mozzarella salad with a basil vinaigrette

Slow-roasted tomato salad with mozzarella

Greek Panzanella salad

My favourite salads for a braai/BBQ

Avocado and orange salad with fennel

A large platter with melon, mozzarella & parma ham salad arranged

The honey and Dijon mustard vinaigrette is one of my favourite salad dressings and I put together a video of how to make it:

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Prep Time:10

Ingredients

Salad:

1 small winter melon or spanspek halved cantaloupe or honeydew
2 x 125gm balls of fresh mozzarella
1 packet of rocket leaves – about 3 handfuls
1 small packet of watercress – about 2 handfuls
120 gms Parma ham or other Italian cured ham

Vinaigrette:

60 ml olive oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
20 ml honey
1 heaped teaspoon of mustard
salt and pepper

Instructions

Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together until emulsified. Either shake in a jar or use a small whisk.
Slice wedges out of half the melon removing the skin. Scoop balls out the second melon and set it aside.
Slice the mozzarella.
When you are ready to serve, assemble the salad by scattering the rocket and watercress across the bottom of a large serving dish. Place the melon slices and balls across the surface. Arrange the slices of mozzarella between the melon. Tuck the thin slices of ham in between.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve immediately.