An easy sweet and savory Italian appetizer
Fig preserves with ricotta and prosciutto is perhaps the easiest sweet and savory appetizer there is. No stress, no mess, no fuss!!! Now we are talking. Let me put it this way: if you can toast bread, spread jam and pull things out of your fridge, this crostini is for you!!
A delicious and easy sweet and savory appetizer
Picture this: a crunchy slice of toasted baguette, the sweetness of fig preserves topped with a dollop of creamy ricotta and crowned with prosciutto.
Now this is pure Italian appetizer heaven. Hey, pass me a glass of Chianti! The contrasting textures and flavors of this sweet and savory appetizer will make your taste buds jump for joy.
Now in the event that you are feeling ambitious or adventurous, or both, you can make your own ricotta. It's really not that hard. All you need is milk and an acid to turn the milk into curds and whey. No Miss Muffet here!
Not all prosciutto is created equal. There are regional differences.
A little fig history
Figs come from the mulberry family. According to anthropologists, figs are the earliest recorded fruit eaten by humans. Excavations in neolithic site of Asia Minor and the Middle East have turned up remains of figs. Figs were sacred in some ancient cultures. Dried figs don't spoil. They were great for travelers that needed adequate sustenance. A sweet and savory treat for all!
Side note! In art history, there is the "fig leaf campaign." This is a movement towards covering up nudity in the Sistine Chapel. Just though you might want to know!
Let's started the Italian appetizer!
- You can buy ricotta or make your own. (Don't worry, it's easy peasy).
- Toasted the baguette ahead of time to avoid the melting fig preserves.
- I don't recommend assembling them till the last minute. You want that bread CRISP.
- Feel free to go deconstructed. Your guests can add more or less of things.
This inspired Italian appetizer was borrowed from Williams Sonoma Appetizer Cookbook.
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Crostini with Ricotta, Fig Preserves and Prosciutto
Ingredients
- ½ loaf French baguette toasted sliced thin
- 2 oz prosciutto thin slices cut in half, 1 per crostini
- 1 cup Ricotta
- 1 cup fig preserves
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground pepper sprinkled lightly on top
Instructions
- Spread about 1 Tbsp. of fig preserves on each slice of toasted baguette.
- Top with a dollop of Ricotta and lightly pat down to spread on the preserves.
- Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper.
- Take each half of the prosciutto slice and fold in half.
- Place prosciutto on top of ricotta.
Notes
- You can buy ricotta or make your own. (Don't worry, it's easy peasy).
- Your baguette can be toasted ahead of time to avoid the melting fig preserves.
- I don't recommend assembling them till the last minute. You want that bread CRISP.
- Feel free to go deconstructed. Your guests can add more or less of things.
Nutrition
Christine @ Taste of Divine says
Thanks for pointing me in the way of this delicious looking appetizer...it is right up my alley! I love easy-throw-together-fancy dishes! And they hubby is in love with prosciutto. Totally making this one.
Analida says
Christine: You are very welcome!!! I also love easy apps that look fancy. I love prosciutto also.
Carol Borchardt says
What a lovely appetizer to enjoy with a glass of wine on the patio! Pinned, Yummed and Stumbled!
Analida says
You got it Carol!!!! This app goes perfectly with wine.
Amy Basso says
I love to entertain...this seems like an amazingly delicious appetizer to make and I can already have the ingredients on hand! Great idea!
Analida says
Thanks Amy!!! I hope you enjoy it.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
Analida, these look just PERFECT!!! i love figs, prosciutto and ricotta. This makes such an impressive dish to serve at a party!
Analida says
Yes, Kristen, and it is so easy.
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
What a delicious flavor combination- I love salty/sweet appetizers!
I stopped by from Motivation Monday.
Analida says
Thanks Jessy! It is one of my favorites!
Kathryn Doherty says
What a tasty little appetizer bite! I bet these are so addictive! I love the combination of figs and prosciutto, and love the idea of adding some ricotta and making a little toast to pick up. Yummy!
Analida says
Its a great appetizer Kathryn.
so easy to make too.
Chelc | Inside the Fox Den says
This sounds like an amazing appetizer for a holiday party! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday, hope to see you in the new year!
Analida says
It's really good. I just made it today with a group of 6-8 graders as an enrichment activity. They enjoyed it.