In this post, you will find 6 easy ways to fold prosciutto for a charcuterie board. These are perfect for a beautiful presentation and they are easy to serve. If you are a beginner at building a beautiful charcuterie board, don't stress. By the end of this post you will be prepared and confident!

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What Makes a Board Charcuterie 

Charcuterie is the French word for cured leftover meats. Prosciutto happens to be my favorite meat when it comes to a charcuterie platter. I like its delicate flavor and easy pairing with fruit and mild cheeses.

Other popular charcuterie meats include: Genoa salami, Serrano ham, pâtés, and cappicola. The best charcuterie board will include a variety of meats with different textures like hard salami and a softer more delicate type of meat like prosciutto. 

6 Beautiful Ways to Fold Prosciutto

How to Make a Prosciutto Bouquet

A prosciutto bouquet is wonderful for two reasons. First, and probably the most important thing is that it is easy to serve this way. Second, the little prosciutto flowers can be grouped together giving the board some height and it looks cute. To fold little prosciutto rosettes, follow these steps:

1. Take a full slice of prosciutto and cut it in half with a sharp knife so the prosciutto does not tear
2. Fold one piece in half again 
3. Roll one corner diagonally across to the other side (hold one finger on the center to help fold around that point)
4. group the rosettes together on the charcuterie board and prop them up on slices of cheese for better height

How to Fold a Prosciutto Ribbon 

When you want prosciutto to be the star of the show, I like this method because it makes a pile of prosciutto stand out and larger than the other methods. Simply fold a full slice of prosciutto back and forth like an accordion or fan. Then pinch the middle and stand it up on the board. The easiest way to keep it up is to build several of these little piles and prop them up against each other. 

Making Little Prosciutto Fans

This is similar to the prosciutto ribbon method, but smaller. Take full slices of prosciutto and cut them half or even quarters depending on the desired portion size. Fold the prosciutto back and forth and pinch the bottom to create a small fan. After making 6-10 small fans, lay them out on the board letting them overlap slightly. This is an easier method for serving because the portion is small enough to fit on a cracker and it's easy to pick up the precut pieces.

Sliced Prosciutto Rolled with Sliced Cheese

This is probably the second easiest method to fold prosciutto. It takes no skill at all to make these little rolls look good. Choose a mild sliced cheese like provolone or an aged cheddar that will roll easily with the prosciutto.

1. Start by laying a slice of prosciutto on a flat surface. 
2. Lay a piece of cheese down on top. 
3. Roll them up together striating with the end that the cheese starts on and roll from one end to the other.        

I love simple ways for preparing my meats and cheeses, but this is also an especially easy way for guests to take food from an easy grazing board. 

Creating a Loose Prosciutto Pile

This is a great way to serve prosciutto if you want to go for a rustic and natural look. You can bunch up the prosciutto slices whole or cut them in half. Similar to the prosciutto ribbon, fold a slice of meat back and forth gently. Lay them in a pile and let them overlap. 

How to Make Mini Meat and Cheese Skewers

For a mini charcuterie board you can make these cute little skewers. The first step is to fold half of a piece of prosciutto into fourths or over in a little ribbon. Pierce a tooth pick or skewer through the prosciutto, then add a small slice of cheese or cheese wedges, and finish with a cantaloupe ball. It's the perfect little bite sized serving which is so easy for guests to take off the platter. 

Another great combination is prosciutto with a mini fresh mozzarella ball and fresh basil. The colors are gorgeous and perfect for a great Christmas Charcuterie Board.

The Best Cheeses to Serve With Prosciutto

Prosciutto has such a mild and delicate flavor. The best way to eat it is to pair with cheeses that won't over shadow this kind of meat. I like to combine prosciutto with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese. 

A general rule of thumb is that if the cheese pairs well with fruit, it will also go well with prosciutto. Think of sweet flavors like a fruity goat cheese, mild cheddar, or blends of honey and lavender cheeses. Creamy cheese with fruit spread are my favorite over a slice of baguette or buttery cracker.

An example of something I would not pair with prosciutto would be blue cheese or intensely flavored herbed cheeses. 

Good Supplies for Serving a Simple Charcuterie Board

These are my go-to supplies for an easy charcuterie board. They make serving easy and help with a beautiful presentation. 

• charcuterie board or large wood cutting board
• small bowls
• cheese knives
• small serving tongs - an absolute must!
• tooth picks
• small forks
• mini signs for the cheese

What Other Food Items Belong on a Charcuterie Board

Whether you are focused on making a traditional charcuterie board or a simple cheese board, there are few must have items to include. Choose two items for every 3-4 people you are serving: 

• fresh fruit
• dried fruits
• crackers and baguette slices 
• hard cheeses
• soft cheeses
• olives, pickles, marinated veggies
• nuts and chocolate pieces
• spreads such as: fig, cherry, quince, mustards, and 
• small sprigs of fresh herbs for garnish 

Charcuterie Tips and Related Info

To build your own classic charcuterie board, check out my full DIY Charcuterie Board Post. For more ways on presenting charcuterie meats, check out my How to Fold Salami Flowers post with helpful tips and supplies for making more meat roses. The combination of prosciutto ribbons and a salami rose are surefire ways to make a perfect charcuterie board. 

Don't forget to:

• serve your charcuterie board at room temperature to the flavors shine through
• group similar items together on the board so your guests know which meats and cheeses compliment each other
• fill all the empty spaces on the board so its full and beautiful
• most importantly- have fun!