Italian Prosciutto Panini
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Italian Trade Commission / The Extraordinary Italian Taste. All opinions are 100% mine.
These Italian Prosciutto Panini start with a classic Tuscan bread called schiacciata. Add in some Prosciutto di Parma PDO, marinated artichokes and Pecorino Romano PDO, and you’ve got a delicious sandwich!
This post may contain paid links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.
Years ago, Laura and I briefly entertained the idea of opening a sandwich cafe. Over the years, we’ve talked about how it would be a fun adventure, but we’ve chosen to go other directions…at least for now. Let me set the stage here, though. We were in Italy on our honeymoon, and we were spending a couple of nights on the island of Capri. If you’ve never been to Capri, then put it on your bucket list. Seriously! It’s one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited, and we definitely have plans to go back.
It was around lunchtime, and Laura and I were getting a bit hungry. We were craving a good sandwich, and we found a small grocery store with a deli counter in the back. A chalkboard menu behind the counter advertised 2-3 different sandwich options. That’s it. Nothing crazy at all. Just a few simple ingredients…but the key was that the ingredients were all top quality. We enjoyed those sandwiches while sitting on a bench overlooking the stunningly blue water of the Gulf of Naples. The gorgeous setting plus the incredibly delicious sandwiches made for one memorable lunch.
Fast forward 7 years, and Laura and I found ourselves back in Italy earlier this year. Our itinerary this time didn’t include Capri, but that didn’t stop us from finding the most epic sandwich shop of all time! Located in the shadows of the Galleria dell’Accademia (home to Michelangelo’s David) in Florence is a small sandwich shop called All’Antico Vinaio. When traveling, we typically avoid restaurants located near tourist attractions. Instead, we wander a few blocks off on the side streets and look for the places where the locals eat. But All’Antico Vinaio is different. It’s currently the #3 most reviewed restaurant in the world on TripAdvisor. Yes, the world! We knew we had to see what the fuss was about.
Calling All’Antico Vinaio a sandwich shop is a bit of a misnomer. It’s really just a window, and the lines form down the street. Long lines. Really long lines. But the lines move quickly, and the wait is worth it! The sandwiches reminded me of the ones we ate in Capri. Simple, but using the best ingredients possible. Oh, and these sandwiches were as big as our face. Seriously!
We each ordered a sandwich, and I’m proud to say that I finished mine. I had to take a small break, but I did it. When you’re talking about that kind of deliciousness, I can’t help but finish it!
Italian Prosciutto Panini
Italian Prosciutto PaniniInspired by those sandwiches and our trip to Florence, I decided to come back and try my head at making a homemade version. After some research, I learned that the type of bread is called Schiacciata, or Tuscan flat bread. It reminds me of a very thin focaccia-style bread, and you simply slice it in half to create the bread for your sandwich. From there, you just tap into your inner creativity and create a delicious sandwich using authentic Italian ingredients.
Fortunately for us, it’s becoming much easier to find authentic Italian ingredients here in the United States. For these Italian Prosciutto Panini, I stopped by a local store here in town and picked up some Prosciutto di Parma PDO, Pecorino Romano PDO and marinated artichokes. Prosciutto di Parma PDO and Pecorino Romano PDO are both designated with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). As I mentioned in the post earlier this week for Tuscan White Beans, PDO is a set of laws that protect foods produced in certain regions.
When shopping for Italian ingredients, I always look for the PDO stamp or label. That label is proof that the item was produced in the specified region in Italy. For instance, Prosciutto di Parma PDO is produced according to exact specifications in the Italian province of Parma. (Parma is where Parmesan cheese gets its name, too.) And the Pecorino Romano PDO must be produced from pasture-grazing herds of sheep raised in the wild, and the cheese must be produced in Lazio, Sardinia, Tuscany or the province of Grosseto in Tuscany. That PDO symbol is how you know it’s an authentic Italian ingredient!
When creating simple recipes like these Italian Prosciutto Panini, it’s important to use top quality ingredients. I made sure to ask about the PDO designation at the deli counter, and I looked for that PDO stamp on the wedge of cheese. Click here to discover more about DOP labels and a whole variety of authentic Italian ingredients!
If you’re in the mood for a tasty sandwich, keep these Italian Prosciutto Panini in mind! Aside from making the bread, this is a simple recipe…but the flavor will whisk you straight away to Italy! Cheers, friends!
Looking for more tasty Italian recipes? Check out some of these other favorites:
Stuffed Italian Bread
Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Italian Meatball Tartlets
Italian Stuffing Balls
Homemade Italian Bread
Italian Prosciutto Panini
Ingredients
For the Bread (Schiacciata)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ Tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water ~90°-100°F
- 4 Tbsp Italian Extra-Virgin olive oil PDO divided
- 1 tsp kosher salt
For the Panini
- 4 oz. Italian Prosciutto PDO thinly sliced
- 1 oz. Pecorino Romano PDO see note
- ¼ cup marinated artichokes chopped
- 1 medium tomato sliced
- ¼ cup fresh arugula
Instructions
For the Bread (Schiacciata)
- Using a countertop mixer with dough hook attachment, add flour, yeast and warm water.
- Mix on low speed until dough comes together. Increase speed to medium and continue mixing for 3-4 minutes.
- Brush 1 Tbsp of olive oil inside a large bowl. Turn dough out into bowl and flip dough so that it is coated with oil. Cover bowl lightly with plastic wrap and place in a warm location until dough has doubled in size (~60 minutes).
- Brush center portion of a sheet pan with another 1 Tbsp of olive oil; set pan aside.
- Turn dough out onto floured countertop and fold several times. Shape dough into an 11” square. Place dough on prepared baking sheet and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Place in a warm location until dough doubled in size (~30 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Press fingertips firmly into top of dough to create indentations. Brush top of dough with remaining 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Sprinkle kosher salt evenly across top of dough.
- Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until bread is light golden brown in color. Let bread cool completely before slicing.
For the Panini
- Slice the bread into 4 smaller squares; set 3 of the pieces aside for future sandwiches.
- Working with remaining square, slice in half to create 2 “slices” of bread.
- Starting with the bottom half of the bread, layer all of the panini ingredients (salami, pecorino, artichokes, tomato and arugula) on top. Top with remaining slice of bread.
I had to google what the top two most reviewed restaurants in the world are. . .and I came across TripAdvisors top 10 and now I’m starving. And I’m also planning to work my way down the list at some point in my life :). This sandwich sounds awesome and I’m totally living vicariously through your trip. Italy is my favorite country! Have a great weekend!
Tell me about it, Kelsie! I got sidetracked looking at that top 10 list, too. So many good eats! Trouble is they are spread across the world. Hmmm. Guess we just need to stop and travel the world, eh? 🙂 Italy really is my favorite vacation spot. I’m pretty sure I could just move to a villa in Tuscany (near a winery preferably) and be a quite happy camper!
I’ll confess, as I’m reading this my inner voice was chanting, “Please give the bread recipe. Please give the bread recipe.” 🙂 Like a muffuletta, it’s all about that bread.
And I heard that inner voice chanting, Bill! The bread recipe is surprisingly easy. It reminded me a lot of making focaccia…and it was kinda cool to spread it into a cookie sheet. Give it a shot sometime! A sandwich is only as good as the bread it’s made on! 🙂
Oh this Panini looks awesome!!!
Thank you so much, Sheenam! It’s all about the delicious ingredients as the sandwich is pretty darned easy to make. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and commenting!
I love sandwiches like this and should make them more often. Capri is on my bucket list.
Definitely keep Capri on your bucket list, Gerlinde! In fact, bump it up a few spots. It’s one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever visited! And make sure to get a delicious sandwich and sit on the bench looking out over the water. That memory is one of my favorites! 🙂 Thanks so much, my friend!
Hey David…I also read your post and this is one of my favorite recipe till now. this looks soooo good & more delicious…Thanks for sharing……….!
Thank you so much, Madison!
I don’t know, David. I’m pretty sure Parmesan cheese comes from Parma Ohio, and that PDO stands for “pretty darn Ohioan.” “Schiacciata” is merely what they think sriracha is called in Cleveland. So, maybe you and Laura ought to reconsider these highfalutin trips you’re taking overseas and make a pilgrimage to the Midwest one of these days.
HAH! You might be onto something here, Jeff. We all thought Parmesan was from Italy, but really Parma, Ohio has been pulling the strings for years. 🙂 (I’ve never even heard of Parma, Ohio, by the way…) But you’re right…we do need to come midwest soon. Thanks, buddy!
Hi David! This sandwich sounds like a dream come true lunch! I’m quite sure I can’t get the high quality ingredients here in rural East TN, but I can make the bread and do my best for the fillings! There is always internet shopping! 🙂
Hey, authentic Italian ingredients are popping up all over the place. You never know! And, of course, there’s always the internet! I’ve seen some delicious Italian meats available for purchase/shopping online. And of course that bread is definitely doable. It’s a fun, authentic Italian sandwich bread. Give it a shot and let me know what you think! 🙂
Dorothy – wondering where in East TN you are, I live outside Bristol
Mar
What an amazing sandwich and an amazing trip! I hope this one tasted as great as the ones on your trip! 🙂
You know, I’ve gotta say that this sandwich was surprisingly close to the ones we remembered from our vacation. I mean there’s nothing crazy about it…just downright good ingredients. 🙂 Thanks so much, Kathy!
As you so correctly point out, there’s nothing better than a panini made with the best ingredients. Schiacciata is a wonderful flat bread and one that can be used in many types of dishes, even dessert. But, in my mind, it makes the best panini bar none. Easy to make and yummy to taste. That’s one good looking sandwich.
Schiacciata for dessert, eh? That sounds interesting! This was my first foray into making schiacciata at home, and I found it surprisingly easy…and delicious, too! Thanks so much, Ron!
A sandwich cafe? Wouldn’t that be lovely? I could go for a good sandwich for any meal of the day, every day of the week. This one looks absolutely scrumptious, David! This with a cuppa coffee? Yes please! Every time I see your Italy pics, I wish I were there. I can only imagine how good the food is too. Least this sandwich will transport me there for at least a few minutes 😉
I’m the exact same way, Dawn! I’ve been saying for years that I could eat sandwiches every meal of the day. And you know what’s funny? Laura totally ate the leftover prosciutto paninis for breakfast. It said it reminded her of being in Europe where they have amazing savory breakfasts! 🙂
I love good sandwiches. This one sounds like it great. I would love to go to Italy someday. Sounds like you have had some great vacations.
I really do love those vacations, Dawn! Laura and I often plan our vacations around food and drink…and that’s why we love Italy so much. 🙂
What a delicious sandwich David. And after reading your post and recommendation to put Capri on our bucket list I’ve done just that! And a return trip to Florence!!
Yes! I’m so glad Capri made it to your list, Neil. It’s a gorgeous spot…one of the most stunning that I’ve ever seen. Actually, I’d put it on par with the beauty of driving the A1 through Glencoe! But in the meantime, let’s make prosciutto paninis and talk about our vacation plans…after all, planning is half the fun, right? 🙂
Lil S and I have been talking about heading back to Italy and your post is making me yearn for it more than ever! Next time we are there, Capri is on our list. Y’all sandwich in Capri reminds me of our little meal (or rather meals) of crusty bread and olive tapanade of sorts from a store and Limoncello over frozen yogurt – one of the next meals ever cos everything was so fresh and we were in Sorrento!
But back to this sandwich, wow, what a masterpiece! I am all for you revisiting the idea of opening up a sandwich shop – lil S and I will definitely fly up there for opening day!
And thanks for the tip on “PDO”! Happy Wednesday my friend!
Yes, plan that trip to Italy, Shashi! It’s such a wonderful place for vacation. From the history to the scenery to the food…you just can’t go wrong! On the topic of Capri, make sure to visit the shop where limoncello was supposedly invented. Pretty cool place! But in the meantime, let’s make another batch of this bread and build some awesome sandwiches, ok? 🙂
Hi David
Sandwich sounds and looks very yummy.
I was eating a BLT other day, thinking I still need to make a PLT, keep forgetting to pick up Prosciutto
I am a bit confused – you have “4 oz. Italian salami PDO, thinly sliced” is that suppose to be “4 oz. Italian Prosciutto PDO, thinly sliced” ? as I don’t see Prosciutto listed in the ingredients
Sammies you and Laura had on vacation sound Awesome, WTG for finishing yours.
I can see why you came home and came up with this recipe. BTW thanks for adding bread recipe, we do not have an Italian bakery around here. Sounds easy enough that I could make it – bread has always been a challenge for me.
I have never noticed PDO on any of my Italian cheeses or Prosciutto, so not sure if we get PDO ingredients around here, but will look in future for that PDO.
Was thinking of you and your “mini assistant” today as I was making 4 dozen blueberry muffins this weekend – all our friends are very happy right now :o)
Let me know if we are suppose to be putting salami and prosciutto on sammie, or just prosciutto – thanks !!!!
Hope you all have a Happy, Blessed rest of the week
Mar
Yes! A good PLT just needs to happen. And, yes, you totally caught a mistake in the recipe there, Mar. I originally set out to make a salami version of this sandwich, but the Prosciutto just looked so good that I called an audible and made the chance. I’ve fixed the recipe. Thanks so much for catching that one! And honestly, you could totally use salami here. Or even a mix of salami and Prosciutto…whatever you’d like!
Do keep an eye out for the PDO label, too. It’s a surefire way of knowing you’ve got the authentic Italian ingredients!
Oh, and do give this bread a shot. I understand that bread is a scary thing, but it’s honestly one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen. I have faith in you, Mar!! 🙂
Hey David
Thanks – I kept re-reading it and thought I’d finally gone nuts 😉
I Def will give the bread a try, we went out with friends tonight and I had chicken salad on ciabatta bread very yummy.
Have a super weekend !!!
Mar
Nope…you’re not crazy, Mar! I appreciate you catching that one. And do give this bread a shot. I think you can do it! 🙂
Happy Sunday David,
I hope you all are having a nice w/e !!
Finally got some Prosciutto to make the Prosciutto/Pea/Pasta salad recipe you posted awhile back, Was able to find the pasta you used also! Will make sometime in near future
Should have enough Prosciutto left to make PLT’s for lunch one day 🙂
Still not seeing any PDO products in our local grocery stores 🙁 I shall keep looking though.
Mar
Awesome! That prosciutto + pea pasta salad was really fun, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. And definitely make PLT’s for lunch one day this week. Perhaps today? 🙂 So PDO products are out there for sure…keep looking. Chances are you’ll recognize them by the label or the stamp on the label rather than actually saying “PDO” in the title of the product. I hope this makes sense. Enjoy, my friend, and thanks for stopping by to comment!
I am looking forward to the PLT –
I have to go out and get some L&T as D ate last tomato few days ago. I’ve switched him to Roma tomatoes – he use to eat the greenhouse variety in the store, they looked awful one day and I told him to get Roma, he was surprised how flavorful they were !!!! I prefer them for a sandwich myself
I did look all over the pkg of prosciutto for the PDO stamp, but no luck – tried several grocery stores. We don’t have any specialty stores here. I do miss that about Schenectady – there are still a few italian bakeries/stores around.
Perreca’s I believe being the oldest – have you been there ?
I shall continue my hunt for PDO
Also – do you saute your prosciutto before putting on Sammie or just put it on cold ?
Have a super day
Mar
I prefer Roma tomatoes for sandwiches as well! I like that they don’t have as much liquid, so they’re perfect for sandwich stuffing. 🙂
I have indeed been to Perreca’s…they make excellent bread there! I like making my own Italian bread, but in a pinch I try to swing by and get their version. I could eat that entire loaf!
Oh, and I just put the prosciutto on the sandwich cold (or at room temperature). I bet it would be delicious sauteed, though!
TY, I will probably saute – like mine warm
Mar