Prosciutto

Generic term for Italian cured ham

Prosciutto is the Italian word for ham, and is the generic term used to refer to the family of cured, air-dried hams of which Parma Ham is probably the most well known.

It can be raw or cooked: raw prosciutto is called prosciutto crudo while the cooked version is prosciutto cotto. The heavy salt cure means that both versions are ready to eat without cooking.

Most often served cold as a starter or snack, it can also be used in cooking, for example in Saltimbocca or as a pizza topping. It does not suit lengthy cooking however, as it is liable to toughness.

Comments from our visitors:

Please take into consideration also the traditional tuscan ham product such as the ones on http://www.renieri.net/eintro.html as the tuscan cured ham is less popular but as good as the parma one! ;)

More on 'Cured Meat':

Bresaola   Chorizo   Iberico Ham   Lardo di Colonnata   Serrano Ham  

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