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Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

By Cecelia Jenkins

Published on April 23, 2018

Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients

16 (½-inch-thick) asparagus spears, trimmed8 thin slices prosciutto (4 ounces)2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil pepper Lemon wedges

Before You Begin

For the best results, look for spears that are bright green in color and firm to the touch, with tightly closed tips. If you are using asparagus spears that are thicker than ½ inch in diameter, you may have to increase the grilling time. Do not use asparagus that is thinner than ½ inch in diameter. This recipe can easily be doubled.

Instructions

  1. Working with 2 asparagus spears at a time, tightly wrap 1 slice prosciutto around middle of spears to create bundle. (If prosciutto rips, slightly overlap ripped pieces and press with your fingers to stick it back together.) Brush bundles on both sides with oil and season with pepper.
  2. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium.
  3. Clean and oil cooking grate. Grill asparagus bundles (covered if using gas) until prosciutto is spotty brown and paring knife slips easily in and out of asparagus, 6 to 8 minutes, flipping bundles halfway through cooking. Transfer asparagus bundles to platter. Serve warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges.
Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Photography by Keller + Keller. Styling by Catrine Kelty.

Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Headshot of Cecelia Jenkins
By Cecelia Jenkins
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Time

50 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

16 (½-inch-thick) asparagus spears, trimmed
8 thin slices prosciutto (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
pepper
Lemon wedges

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

16 (½-inch-thick) asparagus spears, trimmed
8 thin slices prosciutto (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
pepper
Lemon wedges

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

16 (½-inch-thick) asparagus spears, trimmed
8 thin slices prosciutto (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
pepper
Lemon wedges

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

To make this go-to summer side dish feel more special than plain grilled spears, we dressed them up in salty, savory prosciutto jackets. Wrapping the asparagus in prosciutto before grilling resulted in crispy prosciutto—an appealing contrast to the mellow vegetable. Since grilling prosciutto concentrates and intensifies its flavor, wrapping two spears in one piece of prosciutto was the perfect ratio. Wrapping the prosciutto around the spears' middles exposed the asparagus on either end so it still picked up flavorful browning and char from the grill. Brushing the bundles with extra-virgin olive oil before grilling ensured that the prosciutto crisped without drying out, and a little pepper enhanced the dish's flavors. Off the grill, a spritz of lemon juice was all the spears needed to be ready for serving.

Before You Begin

For the best results, look for spears that are bright green in color and firm to the touch, with tightly closed tips. If you are using asparagus spears that are thicker than ½ inch in diameter, you may have to increase the grilling time. Do not use asparagus that is thinner than ½ inch in diameter. This recipe can easily be doubled.

Instructions

  1. Working with 2 asparagus spears at a time, tightly wrap 1 slice prosciutto around middle of spears to create bundle. (If prosciutto rips, slightly overlap ripped pieces and press with your fingers to stick it back together.) Brush bundles on both sides with oil and season with pepper.
  2. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium.
  3. Clean and oil cooking grate. Grill asparagus bundles (covered if using gas) until prosciutto is spotty brown and paring knife slips easily in and out of asparagus, 6 to 8 minutes, flipping bundles halfway through cooking. Transfer asparagus bundles to platter. Serve warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

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