Jamón serrano

Jamón serrano
Jamón serrano
Course Appetizer
Place of origin Spain
Serving temperature Cold
Main ingredients Ham
Variations Jamón ibérico

Jamón serrano (Spanish: [xaˈmon seˈrano]; "Serrano ham", literally "ham from the sierra, or mountain range") is a type of dry-cured Spanish jamón (ham) which includes most varieties other than those made with black Iberian pigs (jamón ibérico). It is generally served in thin slices, occasionally diced.

Description

A plate of jamón serrano in Madrid

The majority of serrano hams are made from a landrace breed of white pigs or from commercial breeds such as Duroc and are not to be confused with the often more expensive jamón ibérico, made from black Iberian pigs. These aged hams were known as a delicacy even in the days of the Roman Empire. Though not expensive in Spain and the European Union, duties imposed on imported meats and exchange rates make these hams more costly outside the EU. Where available, the meat can usually be purchased sliced, in chunks, or as a complete, bone-in ham.

Jamón serrano has TSG (Traditional Specialities Guaranteed) status.[1] The TSG certification attests that a particular food product objectively possesses specific characteristics which differentiate it from all others in its category, and that its raw materials, composition, or method of production have been consistent for a minimum of 30 years.[2] Jamón serrano described variously as jamón reserva, jamón curado, and jamón extra are all produced from compound-fed white pigs.

Preparation

Jamón serrano

Fresh hams are trimmed and cleaned, then stacked and covered with salt for about two weeks to draw off excess moisture and preserve the meat from spoiling. The salt is then washed off and the hams are hung to dry for about six months. Finally, the hams are hung in a cool, dry place for 6 to 18 months, depending on the climate, as well as the size and type of ham being cured. The drying sheds (secaderos) are usually built at higher elevations, which is why the ham is called "mountain ham".

See also

References

  1. ↑ EC PDO/PGI/TSG List
  2. ↑ Tosato, Andrea (2013). "The Protection of Traditional Foods in the EU: Traditional Specialities Guaranteed". European Law Journal. 19 (4): 545–576. doi:10.1111/eulj.12040. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.