Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano Arugula Apple Salad

One of my favorite salad recipes! This incredible Prosciutto & Grana Arugula Apple Salad is bursting with so much incredible flavor. It’s topped with thinly sliced Prosciutto di San Daniele and shaved Grana Padano cheese. The complex flavors of the prosciutto and the cheese complement the refreshing arugula and sweet bits of apple and pomegranate. I also love to top the salad with candied pecans for a bit of crunchiness. Dress the salad with a zesty vinaigrette dressing to bring everything together! This post is sponsored by Icons of European Taste.

Ingredients for Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano Salad

I love the simplicity and the flavors of this easy salad recipe, it requires just a few ingredients. Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make this arugula apple salad.

• Prosciutto di San Daniele – this aged prosciutto has a delicate, balanced and silky texture and flavor. Make sure to look for Prosciutto di San Daniele logo on the packaging of pre-sliced prosciutto or ask to see the skin of the prosciutto, along with the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), at the deli counter to ensure it’s authentic Prosciutto di San Daniele.
• Grana Padano Cheese – I love the flavor of this incredible aged cheese. It has a grainy structure and mellow, tasty flavor that pairs well with prosciutto. When purchasing a wedge of Grana Padano, be sure to look for its name – you will see “Grana Padano” branded on the rind to ensure you’re getting the real thing.
• Arugula – fresh, baby arugula is a refreshing choice for this salad. Baby greens will also work well.
• Apples – I like to use a crisp, sweet apple variety for this salad recipe. Try using a mandolin slicer to get extra thin slices of apple.
• Candied Walnuts or Pecans – I purchase these premade; they’re available at most grocery stores next to other salad toppings, or with other nuts.
• French Vinaigrette Dressing – while you can make your own dressing (I have that recipe later), a store-bought dressing will work well for this recipe, too!

Prosciutto di San Daniele

Not all prosciutto is made equally. Prosciutto di San Daniele is a very special type of prosciutto produced in Italy and carries the Protected Designation of Origin seal, the European Union’s guarantee of quality and authenticity. Only the selected thighs from Italian pigs; sea salt, and the microclimate of San Daniele de Friuli are used in making this product, creating an exceptional prosciutto that is a result of the extraordinary place where it’s produced. Only at the end of the thirteenth month of curing does the testing and certifying body carry out the last product checks.  The hams that pass these tests are then certified and branded with the San Daniele trademark.

There are so many great uses for this incredible prosciutto. Try serving it with fresh fruit and Grana Padano cheese on a charcuterie tray. Enjoy it with your breakfast spread or on top of avocado toast. It’s also delicious on top of salads, such as this Arugula Apple Salad!

Grana Padano Cheese

Grana Padano cheese is one of my favorites because of it’s incredible texture and flavor! Grana Padano cheese is made from partially skimmed raw cow’s milk from the production area in the Pianura Padana, Northern Italy. The cows are mainly fed fresh fodder, hay or silage. Each wheel of cheese must age a minimum of 9 months and meet the requirements specified in the Product Specifications. Only once passing these strict quality checks will it receive the fire-branded mark which certifies the quality of the cheese and it’s official PDO status.

Try shaving, grating or breaking the cheese into chunks for your soups, salads, steamed veggies and appetizers. And don’t throw away the rind! It’s great for adding into slow simmered soups and sauces!

How to Make an Arugula Apple Salad

You’ll love this quick and easy salad recipe! It comes together in no time and pairs very well with other main entrees! Here’s how I put this salad together:

1. Start with the veggies and the fruit first. Layer the arugula into a large salad bowl or serving tray. Thinly slice the shallots and sprinkle those over the top. Thinly slice the apples and arrange them over the arugula. Next, add the candied walnuts/pecans.
2. Time for the prosciutto and cheese! Using a vegetable peeler or a cheese shaver, thinly shave the Grana Padano cheese over the salad. You can pull apart the Prosciutto di San Daniele into smaller pieces, or layer whole slices over the salad.
3. Sprinkle the top of the salad with pomegranate arils. When ready to serve, pour the French vinaigrette dressing over the top, then toss the salad with two large spoons until everything is well combined. Serve immediately.
4. When making this salad ahead of time, simply keep the dressing on the side and keep the salad covered and stored in the refrigerator.

Easy, French Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

Want to make your own easy, French vinaigrette dressing? It’s super quick and easy to make!

1. Simply combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard, herbs and seasonings in a large measuring cup.
2. Whisk everything together vigorously for about 1 minute, until the oil and the vinegar are emulsified. Pour over the salad and enjoy!

You can keep any leftover dressing stored in the refrigerated for a week.

Perfect for the Holidays!

This quick and easy Prosciutto & Grana Arugula Apple Salad is great for the holiday season! It will pair perfectly with roasted duck or turkey. You can also enjoy it with leftover turkey the next day. I also love this salad with roasted prime rib or regular steaks, too.

Sponsored by Icons of European Taste

This recipe post is sponsored by Icons of European Taste and the European Union. Both Prosciutto di San Daniele and Grana Padano are PDO protected. These products carry the Protected Designation of Origin seal, the European Union’s guarantee of quality and authenticity, so the consumer knows they are from specific geographical areas in Italy, produced by a specific process. A PDO logo guarantees production methods using centuries-old recipes and techniques. These methods have proven over time to be consistent, safe, effective, and produce the most flavorful products. History, heritage and tradition, passion and know-how of the producers represent the key values and story behind these products. 

Pairing Suggestions!

This easy and delicious prosciutto and arugula salad pairs well with many main entrees! Here are some ideas for your next dinner:

• Apple & Bacon Stuffed Pork Loin
• Garlic Butter Turkey
• Garlic & Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb
• Filet Mignon Steak Dinner