Mediterranean Fresh Fig and Greens Salad with Whipped Ricotta

This Mediterranean fresh fig salad is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, healthy, and indulgent. Fresh figs mingle with greens, grapes, whipped ricotta, and a few slices of salty prosciutto. Full of flavor and color.

As you may know figs are adored in the Mediterranean, especially in Greece even from antiquity. As a kid, I remember the scent of fig trees in Greece and how all the adults savored this little fruit. They would just pick them from the tree and eat them. I didn’t realize how good they were until years later. Not only are they delicious, but they also have multiple health benefits: they are rich in polyphenols, plant compounds with antioxidant activity that protect our tissues and cells from damage. They are also a great source of fiber and in certain minerals such as calcium and magnesium. But it’s not just the figs that have health benefits in this salad; the greens and grapes provide additional antioxidants and fiber.

Mediterranean Fresh Fig and Greens Salad with Whipped Ricotta Ingredients

• Greens: This salad has plenty of hearty ingredients, so you want to sturdy greens for the base of the salad, like curly endive, spinach, arugula, kale, radicchio, escarole, and others. Also because of the sweetness of the figs, greens that are slightly bitter work well.
• Figs: The key to this salad is to use fresh figs of any variety. Here I used the royal black Greek fig, but any fresh fig will do. Make sure they are ripe. Do not peel them, as the peel is also consumed, but make sure that they are ripe.
• Grapes: I added some green grapes, again any seedless variety will do.
• Ricotta: Ricotta works well with the sweet figs and will keep this salad light. I would suggest that you use regular fat ricotta.
• Prosciutto: I should note that prosciutto in Italian means any type of ham, so you want to choose either Prosciutto di Parma or Prosciutto di San Daniele. Prosciutto crudo is uncooked, dry-aged ham. For the past 25 years there are no nitrates or nitrites used in the production of these hams if they are authentic. So, check the label. Of course, you can omit the ham if you prefer a meatless salad. But generally, it is a small amount added just for the taste.

How to make Mediterranean Fresh Fig Salad

1. Start by washing your greens, grapes and figs. Figs are a bit delicate so I rinse with cold water and wipe them with a paper towel.
2. Make the simple dressing by blending the extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt and some black pepper and set aside.
3. Make the whipped ricotta by blending it a 1-2 tsp of grated parmesan, and
4. Cut the figs in quarters.
5. Tear the prosciutto in small strips.
6. Place the greens and grapes in a bowl and toss with the dressing. Spoon the whipped ricotta around the salad, add the figs, and then add the prosciutto. I generally roll it and tuck it in the salad.
7. Drizzle the honey over the salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
8. Serve immediately.

What to serve with a Mediterranean Fig Salad

This is a hearty salad, so it is generally great eaten alone. However, you also can serve smaller amounts as a side dish to accompany another dish. Here some I recommend:

• Roasted Vegetable and Chickpea Couscous
• Pasta with Capers, Garlic, and Toasted Breadcrumbs
• Crispy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
• Greek Burgers – Biftekia

Make Ahead and Storage

There are several make ahead steps.

• Wash the greens and grapes a day before.
• Prepare the whipped ricotta a day before
• You can also make the dressing a day before, but best served fresh nutrition-wise.

More Easy Mediterranean Hearty Salad Recipes

• Mediterranean Potato Salad with Herbs and Tomatoes
• Mediterranean Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Smoked Salmon
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash Salad
• Lentil and Grape Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives

Want More Mediterranean Diet Guidance? Get my top-rated book!

Click Here >> The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners

Jump to Recipe

Mediterranean Fresh Fig and Greens Salad with Whipped Ricotta

Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes minutes

This Mediterranean fresh fig salad is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, healthy, and indulgent. Fresh figs mingle with greens, grapes, whipped ricotta, and a few slices of salty prosciutto. Full of flavor and color.

Course: lunch, Salad

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: Figs, Mediterranean, Salad

Servings: 4 Sides (2 Main)

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Author: Elena Paravantes, MS, RD

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Ingredients

• 5-6 oz (150 g) leafy greens
• 6 oz (180 g) grapes
• 6 medium fresh figs
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• Coarse sea salt
• Black Pepper
• 3 oz (100 g) ricotta cheese
• 1 tbsp grated parmesan
• 1 ½ tsp fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 large prosciutto slices
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

• Washing the greens, grapes and figs, set aside. Figs are a bit delicate, rinse with cold water and wipe them with a paper towel.
• Make the dressing by blending the extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt and some black pepper and set aside.
• Make the whipped ricotta by blending the grated parmesan, lemon juice and a pinch of salt
• Cut the figs in quarters.
• Tear the prosciutto in small strips.
• Place the greens and grapes in a bowl and toss with the dressing. Spoon the whipped ricotta around the salad, add the figs, and then add the prosciutto rolled and tuck it in the salad.
• Drizzle the honey over the salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

• Greens: This salad has plenty of hearty ingredients, so you want to sturdy greens for the base of the salad, like curly endive, spinach, arugula, kale, radicchio, escarole, and others. Also because of the sweetness of the figs, greens that are slightly bitter work well.
• Figs: The key to this salad is to use fresh figs of any variety. Here I used the royal black Greek fig, but any fresh fig will do. Make sure they are ripe. Do not peel them, as the peel is also consumed, but make sure that they are ripe.
• Grapes: I added some green grapes, again any seedless variety will do.
• Ricotta: Ricotta works well with the sweet figs and will keep this salad light. I would suggest that you use regular fat ricotta.
• Prosciutto: I should note that prosciutto in Italian means any type of ham, so you want to choose either Prosciutto di Parma or Prosciutto di San Daniele. Prosciutto crudo is uncooked, dry-aged ham. For the past 25 years there are no nitrates or nitrites used in the production of these hams if they are authentic. So, check the label. Of course, you can omit the ham if you prefer a meatless salad. But generally, it is a small amount added just for the taste.

Make Ahead and Storage

There are several make ahead steps.

• Wash the greens and grapes a day before.
• Prepare the whipped ricotta a day before
• You can also make the dressing a day before, but best served fresh nutrition-wise.

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