What can I use to replace prosciutto in Italian recipes so that the meal is vegetarian?!

What can I use to replace prosciutto in Italian recipes so that the meal is vegetarian?

While i am not a vegetarian many of my friends are. If I want to invite them over and make an Italian dish that calls for prosciutto to be mixed into the pasta how do I replace it?

While a vegan solution is great, I'm only aiming for vegetarian.

3 minutes ago
While I agree that prosciutto is wonderful, and that fake veggie meats are not wonderful, I'm looking for a substitute that well add a similar amount of fats, saltiness, and flavoring.

The best answer is the one that got me thinking... I think that heating up some butter and crisping some sweet basil would be a fine alternative to the prosciutto in most italian white cream based recipes.

You could use a veggie bacon analog, or a seaweed such as dulse or laver. If you saute dulse leaves in a dry fry pan, they will crisp up a bit and have a salty flavor, similar to bacon or proscuitto. I toss it in pasta dishes alot. Laver can also be toasted, and has a chewier texture that is more "meat like" There are quite a few sea vegetables that have great texture and flavor. They are available at most health food stores or asian markets. Kudos to you for supporting your veggie friends! Many just dismiss the whole notion. Good on you!