Pear Prosciutto Polenta Bites

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Discover a unique and flavorful appetizer with this recipe for Pear Prosciutto Polenta Bites. The combination of sweet pear, savory prosciutto, and crispy polenta creates a perfect bite-sized treat that will impress your guests at any gathering.

I wanted to make a super simple appetizer recipe.  It needed to have just a few ingredients that would complement the polenta crisps. I’m calling them crisps because I’ve baked them long enough and at a high enough temperature to make them extra crispy.  I wanted something sweet, something savory, something delicious.  And that’s just what these are.

I also wanted to use pears.  They’re in season in the winter months.  And they’re tops on my list of fruits.  Pears are crispy and juicy.  They’re sweet and oh so delicious.  This is making me want some more pears to eat.  I may need to get some more pears from the grocery store.

How can you tell if a pear is ripe?

I went to a food and wine expo once where USA Pears had a booth there.  You can only imagine how sweet and delicious those pears were.  They were demonstrating how to tell if a pear is ripe.  The best way to tell is to gently press near the stem.  If it gives slightly, the pear is ready to eat.  Ripe pears have a sweet aroma at the stem and have a vibrant and consistent color all around. By making sure your pears are ripe, you’ll enhance the overall flavor and texture of this appetizer.

What is polenta?

Polenta is an Italian dish made from boiled cornmeal.  It can be cooked to a creamy or solid consistency, depending on the desired outcome.  The texture is smooth and slightly grainy, making it a perfect base for a variety of recipes.  Its mild flavor allows the other ingredients to shine.  In this recipe it creates a deliciously crispy base for the other ingredients in this appetizer.

What is prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a type of dry-cured Italian ham.  It is known for its rich and salty flavor which is why it is usually thinly sliced. Made from the hind leg of a pig, prosciutto is aged for an extended period, resulting in a tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture.  Its distinctive taste adds a savory element to dishes, making it a popular choice for antipasto platters, sandwiches, and appetizers like pear prosciutto polenta bites.

What can you use instead of prosciutto?

If you’re looking for a substitute for prosciutto in your pear prosciutto polenta bites, there are plenty of options to consider.  If you want to stick with a ham but not prosciutto, then you can try some Black Forest ham.  The authentic version is similar in texture but less salty and smoky than prosciutto.  You could also try pancetta.  It has similar characteristics as prosciutto. 

If you want to skip the ham entirely, then try some smoked salmon or trout.  Both can add a similar salty richness and savory contrast to the sweet pears and creamy polenta.  For a vegetable option, try some portobello bacon.  And apparently, there’s a plant-based prosciutto you can try.

Ingredients to make these polenta bites

• Polenta – water, cornmeal, salt
• Crisps – pear, asiago cheese, prosciutto

Instructions to make these pear prosciutto polenta bites

Start by making the polenta.  Bring the water and salt to a boil.  Slowly stir in the cornmeal whisking continuously until all the cornmeal is added.  Once it starts to thicken, lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally.  Let the polenta cool slightly before spreading it onto a piece of plastic wrap.  Roll the plastic wrap up and twist the ends like a giant piece of polenta candy.  Refrigerate the polenta until you’re ready to make the crisps.

Preheat the oven and then slice the polenta into coins.  Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat and bake for 20 minutes, flip, and bake for another 20 minutes.  While the crisps are baking, slice the pears, cheese, and prosciutto.  Place one slice of cheese and two pieces of pear on top of a piece of prosciutto.  When the crisps have cooked on the second side, top with a pear bundle and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese begins to melt.

Pairing with wine or sparkling wine

If you’re looking to serve this pear recipe for a special holiday like New Year’s, you can pear it with some delicious wines and even some sparling wines or champagne.  Riesling and sauvignon blanc go well with pears.  Both have clean and crisp flavors that elevate the sweetness of the pears.  Sauternes is a dessert wine that would really highlight the sweetness of the pears and the saltiness of the prosciutto.  And don’t shy away from a red like merlot.  It has a sweet, mellow flavor that compliments the pear and cheese combination.

Tips for serving these pear prosciutto polenta bites

I served mine on a white plate to let the colors of the ingredients stand out.  But if I wanted to serve these for New Year’s Eve or other party, I would serve them on a decorative plate or serving board and garnish them with a sprinkling of some rosemary or thyme.  You could also drizzle them with a little balsamic vinegar.  I have some flavored balsamic that would kick these bites up a bit like Vermont maple or habanero honey.

These bites would also make a great addition to a charcuterie board.  You don’t have to serve them hot.  They can be served at room temperature making them easy to make ahead of time and add to any charcuterie or appetizer board.  And the ingredients in these polenta bites could also be part of the board like prosciutto and pears. 

What does this polenta appetizer taste like?

First, the polenta is earthy, slightly salty, and crispy.  Mostly crispy, but the cornmeal is slightly earthy to me.  The pears are soft and sweet with compliments the salty, smoky, and crispy prosciutto.  Finally, the cheese kicks in.  It’s also salty with sharp kick from the asiago cheese.  All these elements come together in an explosion of flavor.  Sweet, salty, earthy, sharp, crunchy, and smoky.  All in one bite.

Now, to make this recipe super easy, you can purchase a tube of pre-made polenta.  Just open and slice instead of making your own polenta.  Even though making your own is super cheap, but it is an extra step you can eliminate with a convenience food.  And when you’re preparing a fun and exciting New Year’s Eve or other celebration sometimes it’s worth it to save some time with prepared polenta.

Quick and Easy New Year’s Recipes

• Beetroot Hummus from Magical Ingredients
• Cocktail Weiners from That Recipe
• Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls from Jen Around the World
• Pear Prosciutto Polenta Bites from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Spinach Squares from Art of Natural Living

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