Ham

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Ham is one of the meat products that are world famous. With traditional European roots, ham is usually a product made from dried pork leg - back or front, as well as venison.

Today, however ham is produced in a wide range of whole or large shredded pork leg or shoulder, sometimes with bone, but in most cases without. In recent years, turkey or chicken ham has become very popular.

Although the traditional recipe for the production of ham requires the meat to be dried under certain conditions, much of the production that is commercially available today is smoked or cooked-smoked ham. The delicacy, which is prepared only from natural drying of the meat, is more valuable and, of course, at a higher price.

There is evidence that ham was prepared in ancient Rome. As early as the 1st century BC. Mark Terence Varon describes the technology used to make the delicacy in his work "On Agriculture". In our country, the preparation of ham is also associated with a tradition recognized around the world. The most popular native delicacy is ham Elena or Elena fillet.

It is prepared from venison leg or salted and dried pork leg, which is prepared only in the area of the town of Elena. The secret of this ham is in the unique climate of the area of Elena Balkan. Prepared in specific climatic conditions, this ham acquires a specific and unique taste.

Like most species ham and Elena is prepared by a similar technology - pork legs are well salted and arranged at the bottom of the "post" (this is a special barrel in which they are stored). In it they are salted for about 40-45 days, after which the salted meat is removed and left to dry.

Italy and its unique prosciutto are loved all over the world.

Traditional Italian prosciutto is known as Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma). It is produced throughout the country, but most of it comes from the eastern part of the province of Parma. Prosciutto is usually made from 12-13 kg pork legs, which are salted, and sometimes sugar and spices are added. The most famous brand of prosciutto is Prosciutto di San Daniele. This unique delicacy is liked by so many people because it has less salt content and a pronounced pleasant aroma.

Spain probably has the strictest rules and regulations that must monitor the production of ham. For the Spaniards there is nothing but quality ham and how else since there are rules for feeding pigs, preparation and strict requirements of the production processes themselves. In Portugal, ham is known as "fiambre" and is quite similar to Spanish ham.

Delicatessen ham is also produced in Germany, and probably the most popular type is Schwarzwälder Schinken. It is made in the Black Forest area, smoked with sawdust and cones.

The unique aroma of Westfälischer Schinken comes from the fact that it is smoked with beech shavings. It is traditionally produced from North Rhine-Westphalia, and the meat for the ham is only from pigs fed on acorns. The American one is no less popular ham (Ammerländer Schinken / Ammerland), which is prepared in Northern Germany. It has a unique taste due to the fact that it is smoked with a mixture of sea salt, brown sugar and spices.

The most popular ham in France is Bayonne Ham, named after the southwestern French city, which is first dried in the open and then salted. No less delicious and famous is the Ham ham, which is boneless and is prepared in a special form.

China also has a tradition in the production of ham-like delicacies. Documents attesting to the use of a type of ham in various Chinese dishes from the 10th to the 13th century have been preserved. A little later in the centuries, different types of ham were used a lot for making local soups. Today, the most famous type of ham in China is Jinghua. It is also used to prepare one of the national dishes of the country - "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall".

Types of ham

Most ham is salted, matured, boiled, roasted or dried, with or without smoking.

- Boiled ham - is prepared from whole pork leg or shoulder. It is formed, salted, matured, then boiled, and in the center of the meat should reach a temperature of 72 degrees. Sometimes cooked ham is roasted or smoked;

- Dried ham - it is prepared from whole meat. Initially, the meat, most often from the thigh or shoulder, is shaped, salted, matured and finally dried with or without smoking;

- Minced ham - this type of ham is mass and the cheapest. It is prepared from coarsely ground basic meat raw materials, with visible fats of up to 5% being allowed. Like other types of ham, it is first subjected to salting, ripening and cooking until the temperature in the center reaches 72 degrees. Finally it can be smoked.

Selection and storage of ham

Buy well chilled ham, which has a clearly mentioned manufacturer and expiration date. Store it in the refrigerator for no more than 2-3 days. The vacuum ham can last longer as long as it is not opened.

Culinary use of ham

Ham as a final product is widely used in the culinary art. It is used to prepare easy and delicious appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and pizza garnished with ham always guarantees excellent taste. Infinitely many casserole dishes with vegetables and sauces can be prepared with ham. Ham is often added as part of the filling of pastries - quiches, savory pies and homemade pies. We offer you a version of ham that you can prepare easily and quickly at home.

Recipe for homemade ham: pork leg - about 2 kg; spices - salt, paprika, black pepper, white pepper, dried tarragon, olive oil - 3-4 tbsp.

Method of preparation: Wash and dry the ham well, salt it and rub it with black pepper and dry tarragon. Tie the meat with twine or other strong string to keep it tight and fry it briefly on all sides in hot olive oil. After sealing the meat, put it in a roasting bag, close it and drill a few small holes.

Put the meat to bake in a preheated 200 degree oven for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove the pork and press it heavily while still hot. Allow to form and cool. Then remove the string and serve the homemade ham in thin slices.