Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 12 as Part of a Buffet

　　1/2 cup dry white wine

　　1/2 cup water

　　1/4 cup sugar

　　2 pints fresh green and/or purple figs, stemmed

　　2 large firm-ripe nectarines

　　a 1/4-pound piece Smithfield ham or prosciutto, cut into 1/4-inch-thick julienne strips

　　Garnish: mint sprigs and/or fresh grape leaves

　　

Step 1

In a small saucepan, boil wine and water with sugar until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes, and remove pan from heat. Cool wine syrup slightly and chill. Wine syrup may be made 1 week ahead and chilled, covered.

　　

Step 2

Halve figs and cut nectarines into thin wedges. In a bowl, gently toss fruit with ham or prosciutto and half of wine syrup.

　　

Step 3

Arrange salad on a platter and pour remaining wine syrup over it. Garnish salad with mint and/or grape leaves.