Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

I’ll eat asparagus any way I can get them, especially now, in late April when the spears are sticking their little heads up from the garden soil. Other than chives and few herbs, they are the first crop to emerge in my spring garden. And fresh-picked garden asparagus are much better than store-bought ones; they don’t need much more than a quick steam or sear on the grill with a brush of olive oil.

But sometimes I want something a little fancier. That’s when I wrap them in paper-thin slices of prosciutto and broil them. The edges of the prosciutto crisp up and it adds a salty, savory flavor that beautifully compliments the herbal, barely cooked asparagus.

Because it’s a little more sophisticated than steamed or grilled asparagus, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is not for serving on a big platter, family style. Rather, it should be served plated individually for each diner. Thus, it makes a great starter to a fancy meal or one of many courses in a small plates meal.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

2 servings, 15 minutes

12 asparagus spears

4 paper-thin slices of prosciutto

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1. Turn on oven to broil.
2. Line sheet pan with aluminum foil.
3. Cut each slice of prosciutto lengthwise into three long strips.
4. Bend an individual asparagus spear until the woody end breaks off. Repeat for all asparagus spears. Discard the woody ends (or reserve them to make soup).
5. Wrap each spear in one strip of prosciutto. Start at the bottom and roll a strip of prosciutto around and up an asparagus spear. It should end before the head of the asparagus. Place the wrapped asparagus on the foil-lined sheet pan and repeat with the other asparagus spears.
6. Brush each prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spear lightly with olive oil.
7. Place the sheet pan under the broiler and broil until the prosciutto begins to get crispy, about two minutes. If it looks like it is cooking too quickly, lower the sheet pan in the oven so it is further from the broiler.
8. Remove the sheet pan from the broiler and flip each asparagus spear using tongs.
9. Return to the broiler and broil for another minute or two until the asparagus is cooked through and the prosciutto is crispy.

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