Watermelon, Manchego and Serrano Ham Skewers

Here, sweet watermelon is matched with sharp Manchego cheese and salty, meaty serrano ham. Assembled together into bite-size morsels and finished with piquant black pepper, the ingredients mingle to create simple yet bold appetite sparkers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 lb. seedless watermelon
  • 1/2 lb. serrano ham, thinly sliced
  • 5 oz. Manchego cheese
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

Cut the melon flesh away from the rind. Discard the rind and cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Cut the ham into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide. Trim the rind off the cheese and discard. Cut the cheese into thin squares to fit the top of the watermelon cubes.

To assemble the skewers, place a piece of cheese on top of a watermelon cube, and then carefully top with 1 or 2 folded strips of ham. Secure each bite with a cocktail pick.

To serve, arrange the skewers on a platter, grind pepper generously over the top and drizzle a drop or two of olive oil over each piece. Serve immediately. Makes about 40 skewers; serves 10 to 12.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma New Flavors for Appetizers, by Amy Sherman (Oxmoor House, 2008).