I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe, typically served as an appetizer. You may not be so familiar with the "modernist" technique of compressing melons and other fruits using a vacuum sealer (preferably a chamber-type). Compressing the melon changes it's texture, making it more dense and also concentrating the flavor. It's very yummy on its own, but the same technique is also used to infuse the melon (and other fruits and veggies) with flavored liquids (and booze).
So I attempted to simulate the taste of the prosciutto melon sans prosciutto. I took a single 1" wide slice of honeydew, cut off the rind and cut it into 1" pieces. I mixed up 1/2 cup of cool water with 4 drops of liquid smoke (I used hickory) and a heaping 1/8" teaspoon of sea salt. Poured about half of that into the bag with the melon and sealed. They came out very nice.
Next time I smoke something I will try smoking the melon directly.
If you don't have a chamber vacuum sealer, you can use a clamp type, but be careful of sucking the liquid and you won't get as much compression, but it should still be tasty. I'm sure it would also work if you just smoked the melon and added a sprinkle of salt, or just use smoked salt!
So I attempted to simulate the taste of the prosciutto melon sans prosciutto. I took a single 1" wide slice of honeydew, cut off the rind and cut it into 1" pieces. I mixed up 1/2 cup of cool water with 4 drops of liquid smoke (I used hickory) and a heaping 1/8" teaspoon of sea salt. Poured about half of that into the bag with the melon and sealed. They came out very nice.
Next time I smoke something I will try smoking the melon directly.
If you don't have a chamber vacuum sealer, you can use a clamp type, but be careful of sucking the liquid and you won't get as much compression, but it should still be tasty. I'm sure it would also work if you just smoked the melon and added a sprinkle of salt, or just use smoked salt!
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