{I first posted these Grilled Asparagus, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Panini in March 2009, now updated with a new-and-improved photo!}
Before I started making panini on a regular basis it never would have occurred to me to insert something long, skinny and roly-poly like asparagus into a sandwich. But some of the folks I Twitter with have gotten me intrigued with all of their excitement over asparagus sandwiches as of late. Spring is finally here which means asparagus are in season, so what better time to expand my horizons and give this concept a try.
Since asparagus and prosciutto is such a wonderful combination in pasta dishes I applied it to this panini recipe, adding in some fresh mozzarella for that stretchy cheese effect as well as to help keep those roly-poly guys in place. As for bread, I was lucky enough to nab an asiago focaccia at my local bakery department right out of the oven. With that salty bite of crispy asiago baked on top the focaccia would have been amazing on its own. But combined with my other tasty fillings…let’s put it this way, just thinking about it drove me to grill and eat yet another sandwich in the midst of composing this post.
Grilling is, by far, my favorite asparagus preparation method. It’s fast, gives a nice semi-crunchy texture and all that great asparagus flavor remains intact. They come out bright green with nice grill marks. I usually just toss the spears in some olive oil, salt and pepper and grill for 2-3 minutes. On my outdoor gas grill I rotate them halfway through, but on the panini grill you don’t even need to do so.
Happy spring, all!
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Grilled Asparagus & Prosciutto Panini
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. asparagus
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 focaccia, sliced into 4 pieces
4 slices prosciutto
8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/4″ slices
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat.
Rinse the asparagus and break the ends off of each spear (if you hold onto each end and bend the spear it will naturally break in the right place). Discard the ends. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for about 3 minutes until cooked through and grill marks appear. Set aside.
Turn off the grill and carefully clean the grates. Reheat the grill to medium-high heat.
For each sandwich: Slice the focaccia in half lengthwise. Place a slice of prosciutto inside the bottom half. Top with 1/4 of the cheese and as many asparagus spears as will fit securely. Close the sandwich with the other focaccia half. Grill 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Slice the sandwich in half, serve immediately and enjoy!
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That looks so good. I never thought to put whole asparagus into a sandwich like that.
The Food Hunter’s last blog post..Calabria Deli in Downtown Phoenix
No judgments here at all. If something’s good, why not eat it multiple times. This is bringing on lunchtime stomach grumbles…
The Duo Dishes’s last blog post..We’re Playing Favorites
I have been staring dreamily at this picture for the last five minutes. *sigh* I love asparagus in all forms and recently discovered how great it is in sandwiches. Thanks for this recipe!
Esi’s last blog post..Crunchy Peanut Slaw
Prosciutto and Asparagus! And Mozzarella! All of my favourite ingredients on my favourite bread – yum!
Amanda’s last blog post..Italian Sausage Ragu
Oh I could totally get into this sandwich! And with all the fresh asparagus coming out this is a great way to eat it up!
RobinSue’s last blog post..Ballpark Food: Nachos
That sandwich looks delicious! I just had some roasted asparagus for lunch 🙂
You’ve got me wishing asparagus season would hurry up & get to this part of the country so I can try this sandwich.
That is the perfect spring sandwich! YUM!
Maria’s last blog post..Vegetarian Pho
It’s true. Asparagus panini are the kewlest 🙂 And yours looks particularly delish.
lo!’s last blog post..Hippie Food: Double Ginger Granola with Cranberries & Cocoa Nibs
This looks so good. I wouldn’t think of putting asparagus in a panini, but I definitely wouldn’t refuse what you made if you gave me some! :p
Joy’s last blog post..Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
That panini looks delicious!!! Have you tried making your own focaccia with the recipe from Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day ??
I wish I had some fresh mozarella and prosciutto – I’d be making a panini for dinner tonight … I’ll have to pick some up next time I go to the store so I can make it .. yumm!
This looks fantastic–who would have thought to put asparagus in a sandwich? Yum!
Elle’s last blog post..Ingredient Wars! Formerly known as Chopped, the Home Version
Awesome idea for a delish spring sandwich! I’m just catching the panini bug but don’t have a press yet – I’m still doing them the hard way with a grill pan and a cast iron skillet to press down. Seeing ideas like this one puts me that much closer to ordering a press!
This looks very sophisticated. I have suddenly been thinking asparagus too.
Nicole’s last blog post..You’re Invited! An Open House Extravaganza + a Giveaway!
OK, now you’ve done it. I see that an early lunch is in order. Yum!
Jil Nelson’s last blog post..A Beautiful Eye Indeed — Bell’occhio
I’m not doing a sandwich, but I am making prosciutto wrapped asparagus tonight. Thanks for giving me such a great visual to look forward to.
And seriously? Asparagus sandwich. Wow! Glad you gave it a go and it worked out so beautifully.
Made this yesterday… it was glorious. I sauteed the asparagus with red onion for a little extra flavor and seasoned with ground white pepper. Awesome.
This panini is all kinds of awesome!
I sub goat cheese in for the mozzarella. Tastes Awesome!!!
Love asparagus sandwiches, but mine are of the cream cheese & sprouts variety. This looks hearty and delicious!
This just screams “spring”. Great flavors in here, Kathy.
That looks really good, Kathy!
Gotta tell you I love asparagus but I have never had them in a sandwich before. Grilled up with cheese in this panini is a great idea!
It’s especially good when you have just a few leftover spears to use up. 😉
wonderful combination
girl you know how to make a sandwich is all I have to say. Your site makes me hungry everytime I stop by!! This looks awesome! 🙂
Thanks so much, Aggie – I try! 🙂
This sounds like a delicious panini. I can’t wait to try it!
I would have never thought asparagus either but this panini looks amazing. I cant wait for Spring!
Love asparagus! Looks delicious, Kathy!
Mmm, Kathy, this looks so amazing!! I love idea of asparagus in a panini, and paired with prosciutto and mozzarella?! I’m all about it!
Need this!
I love asparagus 🙂 this panini looks wonderful!
As soon as I saw the cheese oozing out of the focaccia, I knew this recipe was for me. Thanks!
Oh my heavens! Kathy, this looks incredible! It was so wonderful seeing you at BlogHer Food XOXO
Love this recipe, so simple, soo good!
I crisped up the proscuitto for a couple of minutes in a fry pan first, really brings out the flavour .
Keep the seasonal recipes coming!….
I’m so excited about the asparagus out there right now! I’m making various risottos this week and your post is a beautiful reminder to add some asparagus.