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You are here: Home / Recipes / Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onions & Gorgonzola

Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onions & Gorgonzola

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Published on October 16, 2018 by Helen 30 Comments
Last Updated on October 11, 2019

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These delicious Parma Ham canapés or Proscuitto di Parma stuzzichini, with sticky balsamic onions and Gorgonzola are delicious, easy to make and are ideal for serving up at a party. The only difficulty is not eating them all yourself!

A close up of Parma ham canapes with sticky balsamic onion, with and gorgonzola, garnished with basil leaves.

Table of Contents

  • Parma Ham Canapés
    • Ready-made canapé cases
  • Aperitivo & Stuzzichini
  • How to make Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onions and Gorgonzola (Proscuitto di Parma Stuzzichini)
  • Can I make these Parma Ham Canapés in advance?
  • Why Buy Real Parma Ham
  • To make in advance

Parma Ham Canapés

One of my favourite activities at a party is taking a tray of canapés around.

It gives me a chance to speak to everyone without getting stuck in one conversation, and I also get to tuck into the canapés without anybody really knowing how many I’m managing to snaffle for myself.

These Parma am canapés with sticky balsamic onion and Gorgonzola definitely get my vote. They’re easy to make, and extra delicious with the salty Gorgonzola, sweet sticky onions and rich savoury umami from the Parma Ham.

Ready-made canapé cases

The secret to these are the ready made canapés cases. The best ones to get are thin and crispy, and bite-sized. It saves a lot of hassle and means you can rustle up a batch at any time.  If you are in the UK I recommend Rahms Mini Croustades which cost about £2.50 for a box of 24.  Get a box or two and keep them in the cupboard to whip out and fill for impromptu party snacks.

The secrets to successfully caramelizing the onions can be found in our blog post, how to make caramelized onions, the main trick is to cook slowly over low heat – you cannot hurry them or make in less than 30 mins.

Ten Parma ham canapes with sticky balsamic dressing, onion,and gorgonzola on a wooden board.

Aperitivo & Stuzzichini

In Italy aperitivo is a pre dinner drink – often a spritz made with Apérol or (less commonly) Cynar. If you have your aperitivo in a bar it will often be accompanied by little appetisers or stuzzichini.

How to make Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onions and Gorgonzola (Proscuitto di Parma Stuzzichini)

A top down view of slices of Parma ham, gorgonzola cheese, canape cases, balsamic vinegar, oil, garlic and onion, the ingredients for Parma ham canapes with sticky balsamic onion and gorgonzola.

Step 1 – Assemble the ingredients. I find that a moment spent doing this always saves time later.

A top down picture of a frying pan full of onion ready to be cooked.

Step 2 – Chop onions and the garlic, add salt and gently sweat in the olive oil over a very low heat for 20-30 minutes. If your stove is gas, then use a diffuser to cook as slowly as possible.

A top down view of a frying pan with slow cooked sticky balsamic onion.

Step 3 – Once the onion has reduced then add the balsamic vinegar and carry on cooking for about five minutes.

Canape shells full of slow cooked balsamic onion, for Parma Ham canapes.

Step 5 – Spoon the cooked onion into the canapé cases.

A baking tray holding 12 Parma ham, sticky balsamic onion and gorgonzola canapes, ready to go in the oven.

Step 7 – Add a cube of Gorgonzola to each case.

A baking tray holding 12 Parma ham, sticky balsamic onion and gorgonzola canape, just out of the oven.

Step 8 – Bake at GM5 / 180C fan for about 5 mins until the cheese is melted.

A top down view of 12 Parma ham canapes with sticky balsamic onion and gorgonzola cheese, on a rustic wooden board. The canapes are garnished with basil leaves.

Step 9 – Top with small pieces of ham and serve garnished with basil. To prepare the ham, cut each slice into nine – lengthwise and then across. Roll up each piece and place in a canapé case, garnish and serve immediately

Can I make these Parma Ham Canapés in advance?

Yes! You can prep everything in advance but leave assembly until the last minute or they will go soggy!

  • Cook the onion beforehand and it will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
  • Cut the cheese into cubes and keep covered in the fridge.
  • Also cut and roll up the ham, and again, keep covered in the fridge.
  • Place the basil leaves on a piece of damp kitchen paper in a plastic box; they’ll keep for a few hours.

When you want the canapés, place the onion and cheese in each case, and place in the oven as above until the cheese has melted.  If the onion is fridge cold then allow another minute or two of cooking time. Then top with the Parma Ham as above, garnish and serve.

acks of Parma hams maturing at the producers

Why Buy Real Parma Ham

Prosciutto di Parma, is produced protected by a Protected Designation of Origin status, ensuring that the real thing has been produced under strict guidelines using only pork, sea salt, air and time.

A packet of Parma ham

It’s been air cured for a minimum of 12 months and is without additives or preservatives. Each ham can be traced through all stages of production which ensures the quality and taste of the final product.

For another recipe with delicious Parma Ham (Proscuitto di Parma) try my Parma Ham Salad with Figs & Green Beans.

A top down view of a salad made wtih green beans, figs and garnished with parma ham roses

If you try this Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onions & Gorgonzola please tag #FussFreeFlavours on Instagram or Twitter. It is amazing for me when for me when you make one of my recipes and I really do love to see them. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thanks for reading Fuss Free Flavours!
4.93 from 14 votes
A close up of Parma ham canapes with sticky balsamic onion and gorgonzola cheese.
Print
Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onion and Gorgonzola (Proscuitto di Parma stuzzichini)
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

These delicious Parma Ham canapés are quick to make and extra delicious; the only difficulty is not eating them all yourself! Using ready make canapé cases saves time and hassle for easy and tasty results.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: canape case filling, Parma ham canapes
Servings: 24 canapes
Calories: 33 kcal
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Ingredients
  • 2 onions
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1 tbs Balsamic Vinegar
  • 24 Canape cases
  • 50 g Gorgonzola (or other soft blue Italian cheese)
  • 4 slices Parma Ham
  • basil to garnish
Instructions
  1. Peel and chop the onion and the garlic.  Add to a frying pan with the olive oil and a pinch of salt and saute slowly over a low heat, stirring from time to time until starting to caramelise.  This should take 20-30 minutes.  

  2. Once the onion has cooked down, add the balsamic vinegar and cook for a further 5 minutes.

  3. Spoon the onion into the canapé cases.  Cut the Gorgonzola into small cubes and pop one into each canapé case on top of the onion. 

  4. Bake in the oven at 180C (Fan)/375 F/ Gas Mark 5 for 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.

  5. Cut each slice of the Parma ham into nine - divive by three lengthwise, and then by three widthwise. Roll each piece of ham and place one in each canape case.

  6. Garnish with basil leaves and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

To make in advance

  • Cook the onion beforehand and it will keep for 3 days in the fridge.
  • Cut the cheese into cubes and keep covered in the fridge.
  • Also cut and roll up the ham, and again, keep covered in the fridge.
  • Place the basil leaves on a piece of damp kitchen paper in a plastic box; they'll keep for a few hours.
  • When ready to serve assemble as above, if the onion is fridge cold you may need to cook for another minute or two.
  • This recipe is 1 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
Nutrition Facts
Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onion and Gorgonzola (Proscuitto di Parma stuzzichini)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 33 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 38mg2%
Potassium 21mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Vitamin A 15IU0%
Vitamin C 0.7mg1%
Calcium 14mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Post and recipe for Parma Ham Canapés with Sticky Balsamic Onions and Gorgonzola commissioned by Parma Ham.  All opinions our own.

These canape cases can be used in sweet canapes as well as savoury. Try my Mini Fruit Tart Canapés with Creme Patissiere

Related Posts

  • Rows of Parma Ham maturing
    How Parma Ham is Made
  • Fig and green bean sald with Parma ham. The salad, on a white plate with a blue rim, is dressed and garnished with toasted pine nuts.
    Fig and Green Bean Salad with Parma Ham {Gluten Free}
  • These ham and cheese stuffed chicken breasts are delicious, quick and easy to make and a real treat when you want a tasty meal that's a bit special but with minimum fuss.
    Ham and Cheese Stuffed Chicken
  • This macaroni and cheese with diced ham and extra vegetables is a perfect one dish meal.
    Easy macaroni and cheese with ham

Filed Under: Canape, Italian, Portfolio Italian, Recipes, Sponsored Ingredients: Blue cheese, Onions, Parma ham

About Helen Best-Shaw

Helen Best-Shaw is a freelance food & writer, photographer who has been writing about achievable, affordable and mostly healthy food on Fuss Free Flavours since 2007. She also contributes articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print food magazines. Please do contact me if you would like to discuss commissioning work. Read More…

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  1. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

    5 stars
    These look like such delicious canapes! What a great way to use Parma Ham, they look like the perfect bite sized treat!

    Reply
    • Helen

      A bite size, perfect for snaffling.

      Reply
  2. Ellen

    These delicious bites will be so perfect for holiday entertaining.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Ideal for The Holiday season.

      Reply
  3. Harriet

    5 stars
    Yummy! These sound so tasty, a great party piece for impressing your guests.

    Reply
    • Helen

      And so easy to make.

      Reply
  4. Lisa Dodds

    5 stars
    I love canapes like this, tasty little bites of deliciousness. A brilliant idea with some delicious ingredients.

    Reply
    • Helen

      We always appreciate a tasty canapé.

      Reply
  5. Babs

    5 stars
    I didn’t know you could get ready made cases. They sound great. Love the idea of these canapes. They look very impressive.

    Reply
    • Helen

      The cases are so handy, and a great thing to have ready for any occasion.

      Reply
  6. Rach Gillian

    4 stars
    You put my party food to shame! I never make things like this, I’m more for peanuts in a bowl and bread sticks. Terrible. Your canapes do look delicious, and I love parma ham.

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make, and can be prepared in advance too.

      Reply
  7. Pamela

    5 stars
    I love being able to make impressive little treats for a party, and these canapes look delightful. A great mix with the tasty Parma ham and the caramelized onions. Mouth watering. I’d be sneaking far too many myself!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Very tempting to sneak a few too many.

      Reply
  8. Amelia Jenkin

    5 stars
    Gosh, making Parma Ham really is a committed process. That is amazing. Love these canapes, they look delicious and so easy to make.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Fascinating to find out how our food is prepared.

      Reply
  9. Felicity D

    5 stars
    What a lovely idea and so easy to make. Just the kind of thing I’d love to have at a party.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Ideal for party season.

      Reply
  10. Gary H

    5 stars
    These are a great alternative to the usual canapes I get served at any events. Simple, yet a perfect combination of delicious ingredients.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Very tasty and very easy to make.

      Reply
  11. Tasha

    5 stars
    What a lovely idea. I find the ready made canapé cases so useful. Totally no fussing and so easy to create fancy little treats like these.

    Reply
    • Helen

      The cases are so good.

      Reply
  12. Hollie Jackson

    5 stars
    A great idea for party food and very tasty with the delicious Parma ham.

    Reply
    • Helen

      The Parma ham is very tasty.

      Reply
  13. Demeter

    5 stars
    Such a sophisticated appetizer to add to any party! I’m sure my guests are going to love it!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Impressive, yet so simple.

      Reply
  14. Nicole Tingwall

    5 stars
    You truly cannot go wrong with parma ham! I would put it on everything. And adding gorgonzola?!? Can I come over?

    Reply
    • Helen

      Bring a bottle of Prosecco, I’ll handle the canapes!

      Reply
  15. Julia

    5 stars
    I have tasted similar ready-made canape bases and loooved them so much! Using Parma ham makes them just taste even better!

    Reply
    • Helen

      The ready made bases are brilliant, so handy.

      Reply

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I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews.

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