Nectarine, Prosciutto & Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic Glaze

Sweet, ripe nectarines pair with salty prosciutto, creamy mozzarella and a rich balsamic glaze in this simple summer salad. The quality and freshness of the ingredients are what make it work, so choose the best you can find and keep the preparation simple.

Serves 2 | Prep: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• Fresh baby spinach, enough to create a generous bed

• 2 ripe nectarines, sliced into wedges

• 100–150 g good-quality prosciutto

• 1 ball mozzarella di bufala or fior di latte, torn into pieces

• 2–3 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted

• Good-quality extra-virgin olive oil

• Fine sea salt, to taste

• Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

• Optional : Edible flowers (such as violas, cornflowers or nasturtiums)

  
  

Method

1. Arrange the spinach generously across a large serving platter. Drizzle lightly with good-quality olive oil and season with a little sea salt.

2. Cut and arrange the nectarine wedges over the spinach, tucking some into the greens so the salad feels abundant and layered.

3. Loosely fold or tear the prosciutto into smaller pieces and scatter it throughout the salad.

4. Tear the cheese generous pieces and nestle them between the nectarines and prosciutto.

5. Scatter the toasted pine nuts over everything.

6. Finish generously with balsamic glaze. Add another small drizzle of olive oil if desired.

7. Arrange the edible flowers throughout the salad.

A few tips

Choose ripe but firm nectarines. You want them juicy and sweet while still holding their shape when sliced.

Use the best mozzarella you can find. Fresh mozzarella di bufala gives the salad an especially creamy texture, while fior di latte is a little milder and beautifully delicate.

Don't overdress it. The nectarines, prosciutto and balsamic glaze already bring plenty of flavor. A good olive oil, salt and balsamic glaze are really all this salad needs.

Presentation. Don't worry about making it too uniform—the relaxed presentation is part of the charm. Use edible flowers to add colour and contrast. Place white flowers over the nectarines and other fruit to make the colours stand out, and add purple flowers near the mozzarella for contrast. A mix of colourful flowers gives the salad a fresh, natural look without making the presentation feel too arranged.

The perfect summer salad

Sweet, salty, creamy, fresh and crunchy, this is one of those salads that looks impressive without requiring much work. Serve it as a light lunch with crusty bread, or make it part of a larger summer table alongside grilled vegetables, fish or chicken.