| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Dish details | |
| Course served | Appetizer |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredient(s) | Ham |
| Variations | Jamón ibérico |
Jamón serrano (Spanish: [xa'mon se'rano]; literally mountain ham) is a type of jamón (dry-cured Spanish ham), which is generally served raw in thin slices, or occasionally diced. The French jambon de Bayonne and Italian prosciutto crudo are similar. A foreleg prepared in the same manner is called paleta.
The majority of Serrano hams are made from the Landrace breed of white pig and are not to be confused with the much more expensive and entirely different Jamón ibérico.
Contents |
Fresh hams are trimmed and cleaned, then stacked and covered with salt for about two weeks in order 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 six to eighteen 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.
The majority of Serrano hams are made from the Landrace breed of white pig and are not to be confused with the much more expensive and entirely different Jamón ibérico. These 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 makes 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 Status.[1]
There are many producers of Spanish hams but the level of quality can be judged by the following:
The four major quality categories of cured ham are as follows, from highest to lowest quality:
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