What's the deal with Spanish ham?!
Answers: I've heard that Spanish ham is to die for...but no one has explained why. Is it cured differently than ham in the U.S.? I would like to try it, but I don't know where to get it. I've also heard that it's pretty expensive...is it worth it? Thanks?
When I was a kid, my family lived in Belgium for three years (Army Brat). We ate some of the most awesome pork -- totally different from what we are used to in the States. From the information I gather about the Spanish ham, it is similar to proscuitto, but has a deeper flavor and a firmer texture .... my goodness, can you imagine? Yum!
Yes, the meats overseas are cured differently from what we are used to in the States. It is much healthier, without all the salt, nitrates and fillers.
Thanks for the question, because it has ended my quest for the perfect pork!
One of my favorite courses during formal dinners, while we lived overseas, was the salad course which included a slice of wonderful ham, rolled up with an asparagus spear inside. Oh my goodness ...... with a good dressing, or sauce, or just a good mayonnaise, this combination was ambrosia. MMMMmmmm. I do believe I am going to order some Spanish Ham (regardless of the cost!) and include it with the salad course for my Mother's 70th birthday party. I think my Mother will enjoy it! LOL!
Also, my Mother believed "while in Rome ....", so for two years my brothers and I attended a Belge school. What an experience! Every morning, we would break for snacks, a mid morning meal, and a popular pair were tartines with coffee. We all brought our own tartines (sandwiches) and the school provided the coffee. A favorite tartine was peasant bread, slathered with farm fresh butter and layered with ham. Oh, so good! We would also have a similar snack after school while doing our studies and homework, only with hot chocolate. Also popular was Nutella spread on peasant bread. It was many years later that I saw Nutella in the States (we were there from 1968 - 1971). I must say that now, peasant bread spread with butter and layered with Spanish Ham would be a taste of heaven.
Can you tell that I am already looking forward to it? Until you experience it for yourself, you have no idea what I am talking about.
Take the plunge, look in some internet sites, order some and see what all the "hoop-la" is about.
i've never heard of spanish ham, but it sounds like it may be good...i'd try it.
If you are talking about serrano it is like prosciutto, the pigs are only feed acorn.
for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B3n_...