Years ago when I first came across the classic melon and parma ham starter I, like many a reserved Brit I suspect, thought ‘hmm..I’m not entirely sure about that’, but I tried it and I loved it. Of course I did. The combination of sweet refreshing melon and delicate salty ham is just so right. And the strongly flavoured Galia melon, with its very melon-y taste and soft flesh is perfect for this dish. Serve the melon when it’s nice and ripe – you’ll know when this is the case as the skin turns from green to yellow.
