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    You are here: Home / Cooking Times / a) 30 mins or less / Rocket Salad with Parma Ham, Papaya, Parmesan and Pecan Nuts

    Rocket Salad with Parma Ham, Papaya, Parmesan and Pecan Nuts

    4 September 2017 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Now this little gem of a salad is perfect for catching those last rays of sun, and prolonging the summer. As many people do, I enjoy the change of the seasons. However, there is still something melancholic of seeing summer come to an end. To hold the image of summer in place just a little bit longer, you can serve this salad for your family. Even if it’s too cold to have dinner on the terrace, it still looks like sunshine on a plate.

    Ham Rocket Paparaya Parmesan

    About this salad

    How can you resist that vibrant orange colour of the papaya against the deep green of the rocket salad? Simply beautiful with the parma ham, one of the best combinations! Whether you serve this dish for guest or just the family on a weeknight. Of course, once again, it’s a simple recipe, quick and easy to prepare. Most importantly, you can shop for this recipe in most supermarkets nowadays.

    Papaya Fruit

    Nowadays you can get papaya at most large supermarkets’ exotic fruit sections. The papaya is ripe and ready when it feels soft. Much in the same way that an avocado feels when it is just ripe. When preparing your papaya, you can treat it a little bit like a melon. Peel the fruit whole, then cut it in half and scoop out the plentiful seeds with a spoon. The seeds are edible too, but the taste is quite bitter, so they head for the bin. After that, you can cut up the fruit.

    Papaya is a super food with a whole range of beneficial qualities, such as strengthening the immune system, preventing heart diseases, arthritis, and even cancer. All the more reason to make this amazing fruit as part of your daily diet.

    Papayas Two Whole

    Parma Ham

    Parma ham comes from the province of Parma in central northern Italy. The history of the Parma ham dates back centuries. Traditional preparation means salting the ham and letting it rest for about two months. Next, the ham is cleaned for salt and left hanging to dry. The maturing process can take up to 18 months, for the unique taste to develop to its full potential. Please look at some of my other recipes featuring delicious Parma ham also to find out more detailed information on the subject.

    Delicious snack #1: Parma ham and mozzarella bites
    Delicious dessert #2: Parma ham melon salad

    Different ideas for Parma Ham

    Who would have thought that Parma ham is so versatile? In its fresh form, you can serve it basically just as it is.Make a little antipasti plate, with Parma ham, a little bit of cheese, some olives and sundried tomatoes. Enjoy with a glass of chilled white wine and take a break from the everyday life.

    Another variation, that you may have come across in Italy, is pizza with Parma Ham. You can make this yourself easily. Simply a normal pizza dough rolled out and baked with topping of tomato sauce and mozzarella. Next, when the pizza is done, top it off gently with rocket salad and slices of fresh Parma ham. Add some cherry tomatoes cut in half to give acidity and sweetness. These servings beam of Mediterranean sunshine.

    However, as autumn is approaching rapidly there are other ways to use Parma ham more in tune with the season. If you make a creamy cauliflower soup, for example, you can take it to the next level with Parma ham. How? Simple. Oven bake some slices on baking paper so they completely dry up. Then crack the baked ham into little pieces and sprinkle on the soup. You now have a beautiful hearty soup, topped off with intense flavoured salty Parma ham sprinkles. Add a little fresh watercress as well and you have a restaurant dish.

     

    Papaya Halved

    Cooking methods

    Although Parma ham is excellent simply served freshly cut, you can also use it for cooking. The best way to incorporate Parma ham is to oven bake it. Not just by itself, but wrapping it around other ingredients, thus enhancing their flavours. An excellent example is asparagus wrapped in Parma ham. Parma ham also works well with other sources of animal protein, such as chicken breasts, pork medallions and even cod fish.

     

    Salad Papaya Parma Ham

    Best parings for Parma ham

    If you want to use the Parma ham fresh, the best pairings are other fresh ingredients. The classic is with melon, but actually you can make the classic a bit more exotic by switching the melon with papaya. Otherwise, fresh tomatoes and fresh mozzarella also work well with the rich and salty taste of the ham. When it comes to hot dishes, my favourites are asparagus or figs wrapped in Parma ham and then baked. When baked or grilled, the salty and savory flavour of the ham intensifies and lifts the other ingredients.

    Still, what better pairing with parma ham than a good glass of heavy red wine from Italy? I can just imagine myself sipping such wine overlooking the sunset in Italy.

    Lunch Summer

    Serving

    You can serve the rocket salad with Parma ham alone as a lunch or a light dinner. Perhaps with just a slice of baguette on the side. Otherwise, you can also make it into to a fuller meal, and serve the salad as a side for  a grilled chicken breast. I have recently used it as a side dish for a family barbecue, providing a fresh edge to the smoky grilled meat.

    What is your favourite way to enjoy Parma ham?

    Print
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    Rocket Papaya Parma Ham

    Rocket Salad with Parma Ham, Papaya, Parmesan and Pecans


    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 2 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 70g (2 oz) rocket/arugula leaves, washed
    • 6 Parma ham slices
    • 1 papaya, peeled and seeds removed and sliced
    • 10 pecan nuts
    • 6 slivers of Parmesan

    Instructions

    1. Place all the ingredients in a big salad bowl and mix.
    2. Divide evenly between two plates and drizzle with your favourite salad vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Main
    • Cuisine: International

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 308
    • Sugar: 12.5 g
    • Sodium: 1363 mg
    • Fat: 15.4 g
    • Saturated Fat: 5.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 21.5 g
    • Fiber: 4 g
    • Protein: 21.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 59 mg

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    Parma Ham

    P.S. This is a sponsored post.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fiona

      September 04, 2017 at 3:18 pm

      I just tend to eat it as antipasti! Not very inspired!

      Reply
    2. Ren Taylor

      September 04, 2017 at 3:30 pm

      I love it with melon as a starter x

      Reply
    3. stuart hargreaves

      September 04, 2017 at 3:41 pm

      Wrapped in cheddar sheese

      Reply
    4. maureen findley

      September 04, 2017 at 4:12 pm

      this is absolutely perfect for me

      Reply
    5. Tracy Nixon

      September 04, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      I love it wrapped around chicken and asparagus!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Rebecca Brown

      September 04, 2017 at 5:41 pm

      Parma ham is best as part of a cheese and bread finger food feast!

      Reply
    7. Nick grant

      September 04, 2017 at 6:05 pm

      on a salad or sometimes just a sneaky sneak from the packet

      Reply
    8. Tracey Peach

      September 04, 2017 at 6:55 pm

      In a salad at the moment I go through fads with food

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. laura banks

      September 04, 2017 at 8:28 pm

      i had it recently wrapped around asparagus and it was yummy

      Reply
    10. Kat B

      September 04, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      On a pizza with some mushrooms, mmm!

      Reply
    11. julie laing

      September 04, 2017 at 9:08 pm

      with some fruit

      Reply
    12. Solange

      September 04, 2017 at 10:31 pm

      Parma ham, goats’ cheese and rocket canapés.

      Reply
    13. Suzanne

      September 04, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      With melon and cherry tomatoes.

      Reply
    14. Tracey Belcher

      September 05, 2017 at 6:13 am

      I love it wrapped around halloumi and fried

      Reply
    15. Dannii

      September 05, 2017 at 8:39 am

      Parma ham adds so much flavour to a salad. I like the idea of adding papaya too.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Jan Bennett

      September 05, 2017 at 9:02 am

      Oh my that looks delicious – I could eat that right now for breakfast!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Jemma

      September 05, 2017 at 11:13 am

      I love sweet and salty salads. The addition of papaya is just genius. Never thought to put it in a salad before.

      Reply
    18. Susan Hoggett

      September 05, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      I like it crisped up on top of a pasta dish

      Reply
    19. frances hopkins

      September 06, 2017 at 8:47 am

      On crackers

      Reply
    20. Claire glace

      September 06, 2017 at 1:57 pm

      with foccacia bread x

      Reply
    21. Mary N

      September 06, 2017 at 6:09 pm

      I love Parma ham wrapped around herb butter and mozzarella chicken breasts and baked.

      Reply
    22. amy bondoc

      September 06, 2017 at 7:39 pm

      i love it with mozeralla cheese, rocket and balsamic vinegar

      Reply
    23. Andrea Upton

      September 06, 2017 at 9:44 pm

      With some Melon

      Reply
    24. cheryl hadfield

      September 08, 2017 at 10:13 am

      on multigrain crackers

      Reply
    25. Jade Hewlett

      September 08, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      I like it with melon

      Reply
    26. Jo Carroll

      September 08, 2017 at 8:20 pm

      Pancetta-wrapped trout is simply scrumptious. x

      Reply
    27. Stephen Wilson

      September 09, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      With some melon

      Reply
    28. Heather Bowie

      September 10, 2017 at 11:50 am

      With melon, yum

      Reply
    29. Mickie Bull

      September 16, 2017 at 8:29 am

      With cream cheese on Ryvita!

      Reply
    30. Margaret Clarkson

      September 17, 2017 at 10:26 am

      With my home made focaccia and a salad.

      Reply
    31. Rich Tyler

      September 19, 2017 at 12:31 pm

      As antipasti, with french bread & oil

      Reply
    32. Iris W

      September 19, 2017 at 4:40 pm

      Just on it’s own with crusty bread r wrapped around chicken breast baked in the oven

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    33. francis lee

      September 27, 2017 at 11:05 am

      in nice crusty bread and mayonnaise

      Reply
    34. michelle thompson

      September 28, 2017 at 7:40 am

      i love it crispy on top of salad

      Reply
    35. elaine malcolm

      September 28, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      on a cocktail stick wrapped with melon and cheese

      Reply
    36. Robyn Clarke

      September 28, 2017 at 10:38 pm

      On crusty tiger bread with baby spinach leaves and a dash of balsamic glaze.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    37. Sue Robinson

      September 29, 2017 at 2:41 pm

      Wrapped around asparagus is my favourite way to enjoy it.

      Reply
    38. Catherine Gregory

      September 29, 2017 at 4:35 pm

      On a pizza with lots of mushroom and sundried tomaro

      Reply
    39. Emma Davison

      September 29, 2017 at 7:01 pm

      Wrapped round chicken breasts

      Reply
    40. Claire Little

      September 29, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      around chicken breasts

      Reply
    41. ellie spider

      September 29, 2017 at 8:36 pm

      I like it with some sliced potatoes, onions, grated cheese and mushrooms in an omelette

      Reply
    42. Diana

      September 29, 2017 at 9:17 pm

      On it’s own! 🙂

      Reply
    43. George Wright

      September 29, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      I love making an Italian style salad with mozzarella, sun blush tomatoes, basil, olives, rocket and of course Parma ham.

      Reply
    44. Natalie Crossan

      September 29, 2017 at 11:58 pm

      I actually enjoy it on its own 😀 xxx

      Reply

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    about michelle

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