Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto and Shallots
Amber Dawn | The Host Notes
Brussels sprouts roasted in a healthy toss of good olive oil, a little salt and pepper, and finished with crispy prosciutto, shallots, and aged balsamic vinegar. Savory, subtly sweet, and 100% delicious.
1teaspoonolive oil for sauteeing shallots and prosciutto
1large shallotabout ¼ cup roughly chopped, or substitute red onion
½teaspoonKosher salt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
2ouncesprosciuttothinly sliced, about 4 slices
1Tablespoonaged balsamic vinegarbalsamic glaze, or hot honey, plus more for drizzling to taste
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Rinse the Brussels sprouts and use a small paring knife to remove any ugly bits or stems. Cut them in quarters and add the sprouts to a large mixing bowl along with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use a rubber spatula or your clean hands to fully coat the sprouts in the oil mixture.
Pour the coated sprouts onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread them apart to allow them to brown and keep them from steaming and place in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
While the sprouts roast, roughly chop the shallot and cut the prosciutto slices into one-inch pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add about a teaspoon of olive oil to the skillet. When the oil is hot, add the shallots and allow them to become a bit translucent and softened. Add the prosciutto pieces and continue to saute until the shallots have browned slightly and the prosciutto has begun to crisp. Remove from the heat and set aside (it’s fine if these cool a bit).
When your 15 minute timer chimes, remove the sprouts from the oven and give them a stir with your spatula, turning them to allow another side to brown. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes or until the sprouts have become golden brown around the edges. Note that the smaller bits of sprouts and leaves may be a bit darker in color - this is a good thing! These are the most flavorful of the whole lot.
Pour the shallot-prosciutto mixture onto the Brussels sprouts along with the aged balsamic vinegar (or hot honey). Gently combine with the spatula until everything is well combined. Finish with an extra drizzle (about 1-2 teaspoons) of balsamic or hot honey and serve.
Notes
You can substitute the prosciutto for diced ham or traditional American bacon if you prefer. The flavor will be altered a bit but the result is equally delicious!
Adjust the amount of aged balsamic vinegar, glaze, or hot honey to your liking. Play around with it and make it your own.
This would be a delicious side dish for a roast, chicken wings, or even a pile of meatballs. It also makes a great holiday side for turkey or prime rib.
Substitute sprouts for regular green cabbage by chopping into 1-inch pieces and adjust the roast time to 20 minutes, stirring the cabbage pieces halfway through. The cook time may vary - so keep an eye on it and pull when you’ve reached your desired level of browning.