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You are here: Home / Recipes / Recipes by Course / Salad / Fig and Green Bean Salad with Parma Ham {Gluten Free}

Fig and Green Bean Salad with Parma Ham {Gluten Free}

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Published on October 9, 2018 by Helen 32 Comments
Last Updated on February 18, 2019

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Fig and green bean salad with Parma ham. The salad, on a white plate with a blue rim, is dressed and garnished with toasted pine nuts. A wooden salad spoon and fork are sitting next to the plate, on the rustic wooden tabletop.

This quick and delicious Parma Ham salad is made with lightly cooked crunchy green beans, and sweet figs dressed with a sticky sweet and sour balsamic and pomegranate dressing.

Perfect as a light lunch, the contrasting flavours and textures lift it far above other salads.

A close up shot of a plate of Parma ham salad served with green beans and figs

Table of Contents

  • Quality Ingredients, Simply Cooked
  • Why I Buy Real Parma Ham
  • Extra Veg
  • How to Make Parma Ham Salad with Figs and Green Beans
  • How to make Proscuitto / Parma Ham Roses
  • Fig and Green Bean Salad with Parma Ham
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes

Quality Ingredients, Simply Cooked

For me the ethos of Italian cuisine is “quality ingredients, simply cooked”, and it’s a viewpoint that I heartily agree with. Far better, in my view, to take the best ingredients I can get and let them shine, rather fuss around disguising the natural taste.

This salad exemplifies this principle. The star of the dish is the best quality Parma ham, combined with fresh ripe figs and lightly cooked, crunchy beans, all dressed in a sweet/sour balsamic vinaigrette and pomegranate molasses reduction.

A garnish of toasted pine nuts adds a second crunch, and a hint of woody, nutty flavours to contrast with the beans.

There are many variations of this recipe out there: this one was inspired by Jamie Oliver who paired Parma Ham with peaches in a salad, I’ve swapped the peaches for figs and added green beans for crunch and colour.

It’s quick and easy to make, and would make for a perfect light lunch, served with a hunk of good fresh bread and quality olive oil.

Why I Buy Real Parma Ham

A packet of Parma ham

A packet of Parma ham with the distinctive PDO logo of a rosette

Real Parma ham – Prosciutto di Parma, is protected by a European Union PDO – Protected Designation of Origin status. This means that I know that Parma ham produced follows strict guidelines with only four ingredients: pigs, sea salt, air and time which guarantees the quality.

It’s been air cured for a minimum of 12 months, and is without additives or preservatives, and can be traced through all stages of production.

Racks of Parma hams maturing at the producers

Extra Veg

Another one of my guiding principles is what I call extra veg: Forget diets and eat a generous portion of (raw) vegetables with every meal whenever I can.

While the beans in this salad are cooked, I prefer them to be at the crunchy, undercooked stage; the beans make up the majority of this dish, so as a meal it’s a perfect example of extra veg.

How to Make Parma Ham Salad with Figs and Green Beans

The ingredients for fig and green bean salad with Parma ham. Slices of Parma ham on a white, glazed board. A handful of green beans lying on the mottled grey worktop, along with four figs. Three small bows containing pine nuts, balsamic vinegar and pomogranate molasses.

Step 1 – gather your ingredients

Prepared green beans and figs on a square white porcelain board. The figs have been quartered, and the beans have had their ends trimmed off.

Step 2 – top and tail the beans, quarter the figs.

Briefly cook the beans – either steam or boil for 2 minutes or cook in the microwave.  Once cooked, plunge into cold water. I prefer them to be still crunchy.

A top down view of a small saucepan containing a balsamic vinegar and pomegranate molasses reduction. A measuring spoon holds a small quantity of the sauce to indicate the consistency.

Step 3 – make the dressing – pour the balsamic and pomegranate molasses into a small pan and gently simmer until thickened and syrupy.

Once it is ready it will coat the back of a spoon and the bubbles would have increased in size.  It is very easy to over-cook; remember it will thicken considerably as it cools.

How to make Proscuitto / Parma Ham Roses

How to make Parma ham roses. Four strips of Parma ham: one laid out flat, one twisted, one half rolled and one fully rolled into a rose.

Step 4 – make the Parma Ham Roses – cut slices of Parma ham in half lengthwise, loosely twist each one once and a half or twice, then loosely roll and shape into the rose.

Dressing fig and green bean salad with Parma ham. A small whisk is being used to transfer the dressing from a small saucepan to the salad.

Step 5 – Assemble the salad – arrange the beans on a plate, with the figs and Parma Ham roses on top and drizzle the dressing over.

I find the best way with the dressing is to use a mini whisk so you can drizzle it evenly.  Finally, scatter the pine nuts all over.

Fig and green bean salad with Parma ham. The salad, on a white plate with a blue rim, is dressed and garnished with toasted pine nuts. A wooden salad spoon and fork are sitting next to the plate, on the rustic wooden tabletop.

Finally – serve and enjoy with some crusty bread. This dish makes a superb light lunch, with the crunchy beans, sweet figs and rich Parma ham and or course would look stunning as a centre piece for a party!

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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.
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4.94 from 16 votes

Fig and Green Bean Salad with Parma Ham

A quick but delicious salad made with lightly cooked crunchy green beans, sweet figs and Parma ham, dressed with a sticky balsamic and pomegranate dressing. Naturally Gluten Free.
Servings: 4 people
Author: Helen Best-Shaw
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
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Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp pomegranate molasses
  • 200 g beans
  • 4 figs ((ripe))
  • 4 slices Parma ham

Instructions

  • Mix the balsamic vinegar and pomegranate molasses in a small saucepan, and heat to reduce to a thick glaze. Boil the mixture gently for about a minute. It's ready when it coats the back of a metal spoon.
  • Top and tail the beans, and steam, microwave or boil until just cooked. Stop the cooking by plunging them into cold water.
  • Wash and cut the figs into quarters.
  • Cut each slice of Parma ham in half lenghways. Twist each slice one and half times. Then roll from one end to make a rose. Arrange the Parma ham roses on the salad.
  • Arrange the beans, figs, and Parma ham roses on a platter, and dress by drizzling over the balsamic and pomegranate mixture.

Notes

  • You can substitute runner beans for French beans.
  • This recipe is 6 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion
• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.
Nutrition Facts
Fig and Green Bean Salad with Parma Ham
Amount Per Serving
Calories 160 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 17mg6%
Sodium 503mg22%
Potassium 315mg9%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 70IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Light Meal
Cuisine: Fusion
Keyword: Green Bean Salad
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Post and recipe for Parma Ham salad with figs and green beans commissioned by Parma Ham.  All opinions our own.

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Filed Under: Main Meal, Portfolio Italian, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Salad, Sponsored Ingredients: Figs, Green Beans, Parma ham

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Catherine Brown

    5 stars
    I no longer eat pork products but the rest of this dish looks AMAZING! I haven’t paired figs and beans together, so am looking forward to giving this s try… and that glaze!!

    Reply
    • Helen

      The figs and beans are a lovely combination.

      Reply
  2. Chris Collins

    5 stars
    This salad looks absolutely to die for! Those parma ham rose are just the best! :)

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make too.

      Reply
  3. Katie

    5 stars
    This would look beautiful on a table at a holiday party, and I love the combination of flavors! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Simple flavours that go so well together.

      Reply
  4. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites

    5 stars
    This recipe is simply amazing! And, so gorgeous the way you plated it! I’m saving this to make for company soon – it’s so impressive!

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thank you Lauren, very easy to do too.

      Reply
  5. Caroline

    5 stars
    I am a huge fan of Parma ham (I actually got to see it being made earlier in the year) and fresh figs so this dish is definitely speaking to me! Looks so pretty with all of those colors too.

    Reply
    • Helen

      We saw it being made to – such a delicious product.

      Reply
  6. Jenny

    5 stars
    Parma ham is so tasty, and always prefer it served simply. This is a delicious looking salad, with just the right mix of ingredients.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Simplicity is one of the key elements to this kind of cuisine. It works well.

      Reply
  7. Linda Holland

    5 stars
    This salad sounds and looking amazing. I haven’t had figs in ages, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Fresh figs are so good, perfect with a dish like this.

      Reply
  8. Harry D

    5 stars
    I’m like you Helen, much prefer my green beans crunchy in dishes like this. A nice mix of complimentary ingredients for a good looking lunch.

    Reply
    • Helen

      So much tastier when left crunchy.

      Reply
  9. Amelia Jenkin

    5 stars
    I love food like this, delicious and different flavours. It would make a lovely starter if served in a small dish.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Yes, easily served as a starter.

      Reply
  10. Kerry

    5 stars
    We like to eat Parma ham with a plate of salad, like olives and fruits. Figs are a great choice, and the dressing sounds wonderful.

    Reply
    • Helen

      All delicious together.

      Reply
  11. Robyn

    5 stars
    I love how you have made the parma ham roses, so simple and yet so effective. What a great looking salad and sounds so tasty.

    Reply
    • Helen

      So easy to make, it is a lovely way to serve the ham.

      Reply
  12. Paula

    5 stars
    I like a salad with lots of flavour and crunch, and this simple idea ticks all the boxes. Reminds me of holiday food.

    Reply
    • Helen

      We do like a fuss free tasty dish.

      Reply
  13. Donna G

    5 stars
    I really like a plate of simple and tasty food, just like this. Parma ham is so tasty, you don’t need to make a fuss with anything you serve with it.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Simplicity is often a good option with tasty ingredients.

      Reply
  14. Erin

    5 stars
    I had no idea that that is how long parma ham takes to cure. Fascinating. Gorgeous salad with lovely ingredients.

    Reply
    • Helen

      It really is fascinating, we saw it getting made.

      Reply
  15. Polly M

    5 stars
    My husband would love this, he loves Italian food. This is like something we’d order from our local Italian restaurant. I love it.

    Reply
    • Helen

      Thank you Polly, so easy to make and very tasty.

      Reply
  16. Neil Barns

    4 stars
    Enjoying the flavour of the ham with some simple salad is the perfect way to enjoy. I’d suggest pairing this with a decent red wine, crusty bread and a bowl of olives.

    Reply
    • Helen

      That does sound very tasty, Neil.

      Reply

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Headshot of Helen Best-Shaw, Food Blogger at Fuss Free Flavours I'm Helen, full time freelance food writer, photographer and blogger. On this site you will find my fuss-free recipes, travel and reviews. Learn more here
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