Salami or Chorizo with Melon

In the dog days of summer you do not want to heat up the kitchen -- so here is a cool and cheap recipe that is perfect as a backyard or patio party appetizer, Salami or Chorizo with Melon.

Normally made with expensive slices of Italian ham called prosciutto, I've found that any decent sliced cured meat on sale is an inexpensive way to go. My local 99c only Store always carries 3.5 ounce lean slices of salami (including a Tuscan Brand) and even Spanish style cured Chorizo. Both are as lean as prosciutto but with a more intense, but still pleasing  flavor. And they pair nicely with cool and sweet melon.

As for melon, they are on sale everywhere. I've never tried a Lemondrop Melon. The light green flesh is firm with a hint of tart lemon flavor. While not as sweet as a cantaloupe (which I find too sweet) -- it's really quite tasty. I would get it again.

As for the preparation there is nothing to it, just slice the melon, scoop out the seeds and slice to a desired thickness. You can make the melon pieces about the same length as the cured meat slices (or, if you need to stretch it out then half the salami and melon slices to make even more appetizers.) Finally just wrap a salami slice around the melon and fasten with a tooth pick. If you are serving this at a party you can prepare it a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate.

Cured salty meat is a perfect contrast to cool sweet melon. I especially liked the Hormel Spanish Chorizo which is slightly spicy. Really, any inexpensive salami would work well. One 3.5 ounce package is more than enough for one Lemondrop Melon. Even after eating a slice, one melon will give you at least a dozen pieces (depending how thin you slice it.)

Spanish Style Chorizo

So, for an interestingly cheap and cool swimming pool party appetizer, try out The 99 Cent Chef's Salami or Chorizo with Melon.

Ingredients (about 12 pieces)

• 1 melon - any type on sale. Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Lemondrop - even Watermelon.
• About 3.5 ounces of sliced salami or chorizo - you want thin sliced so it will easily wrap around melon. You can use any type of salami on sale. Of course you can use thin sliced prosciutto or a favorite cured meat, and even sliced ham.

Directions
Cut melon in half and spoon out the seeds. Slice the melon to desired thickness (about 1/2 inch thick.) Trim off the rind from the melon flesh. Cut melon slices to about the same length as the salami and/or chorizo slices.

Lemondrop Melon

Finally wrap melon pieces with a slice of salami and spear each one all the way through with a toothpick.
You can chow down right away, or refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

*For a smaller bite (to stretch appetizer and feed more guests,) cut salami or chorizo slices into half sizes, same with melon pieces.

Tuscan Brand Salami