Grilled Asparagus & Prosciutto Panini

{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.

Grilled Asparagus

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!

Grilled Asparagus & Prosciutto Panini

 

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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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KathyPanini Happy, online since 2008, is more than just a sandwich blog. Here, you'll find hundreds of my original panini recipes, my guide to choosing a panini press and a whole lot of other creative uses for the panini press.
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41 Comments

  1. 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

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  2. 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

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  3. Esi wrote:

    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

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  4. Amanda wrote:

    Prosciutto and Asparagus! And Mozzarella! All of my favourite ingredients on my favourite bread – yum!

    Amanda’s last blog post..Italian Sausage Ragu

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  5. RobinSue wrote:

    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

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  6. Nicole wrote:

    That sandwich looks delicious! I just had some roasted asparagus for lunch 🙂

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  7. Jeff Deasy wrote:

    You’ve got me wishing asparagus season would hurry up & get to this part of the country so I can try this sandwich.

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  8. Maria wrote:

    That is the perfect spring sandwich! YUM!

    Maria’s last blog post..Vegetarian Pho

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  9. lo! wrote:

    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

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  10. Joy wrote:

    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!

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  11. dafogle wrote:

    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!

    Posted 3.24.09 Reply
  12. Elle wrote:

    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

    Posted 3.25.09 Reply
  13. Digigirl wrote:

    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!

    Posted 3.25.09 Reply
  14. Nicole wrote:

    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!

    Posted 3.26.09 Reply
  15. Jil Nelson wrote:

    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

    Posted 3.27.09 Reply
  16. Melissa wrote:

    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.

    Posted 3.27.09 Reply
  17. Ashe wrote:

    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.

    Posted 3.29.09 Reply
  18. Dragon wrote:

    This panini is all kinds of awesome!

    Posted 3.30.09 Reply
  19. Travis wrote:

    I sub goat cheese in for the mozzarella. Tastes Awesome!!!

    Posted 5.12.10 Reply
  20. Love asparagus sandwiches, but mine are of the cream cheese & sprouts variety. This looks hearty and delicious!

    Posted 3.21.11 Reply
  21. This just screams “spring”. Great flavors in here, Kathy.

    Posted 3.21.11 Reply
  22. Katrina wrote:

    That looks really good, Kathy!

    Posted 3.21.11 Reply
  23. marla wrote:

    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!

    Posted 3.21.11 Reply
    • Kathy wrote:

      It’s especially good when you have just a few leftover spears to use up. 😉

      Posted 3.21.11 Reply
  24. wonderful combination

    Posted 3.21.11 Reply
  25. Aggie wrote:

    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! 🙂

    Posted 3.22.11 Reply
    • Kathy wrote:

      Thanks so much, Aggie – I try! 🙂

      Posted 3.22.11 Reply
  26. This sounds like a delicious panini. I can’t wait to try it!

    Posted 3.24.11 Reply
  27. Megan wrote:

    I would have never thought asparagus either but this panini looks amazing. I cant wait for Spring!

    Posted 3.25.11 Reply
  28. Love asparagus! Looks delicious, Kathy!

    Posted 6.4.13 Reply
  29. 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!

    Posted 6.4.13 Reply
  30. nessa wrote:

    Need this!

    Posted 6.4.13 Reply
  31. I love asparagus 🙂 this panini looks wonderful!

    Posted 6.9.13 Reply
  32. As soon as I saw the cheese oozing out of the focaccia, I knew this recipe was for me. Thanks!

    Posted 6.9.13 Reply
  33. Oh my heavens! Kathy, this looks incredible! It was so wonderful seeing you at BlogHer Food XOXO

    Posted 6.11.13 Reply
  34. anne villeneuve wrote:

    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!….

    Posted 6.20.13 Reply
  35. 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.

    Posted 6.25.13 Reply