Prosciutto is a meat which comes from pig.  Therefore it is ham.  But it is different than ham.

Prosciutto is ham that has been cured.  You can eat it cooked, or raw.  What we often think of when speaking of this type of Italian food is the uncooked kind.

Is it safe to eat raw?

However, do you wonder if indeed the ham is safe to eat if it is raw?   It is safe if it has been cured.   Curing meat means it is washed and salted down then left to dry or “cure” for up to 2 years.

It is hung in a cool area and in Italy it is common to see a slab of ham hanging from the ceiling.

But what also gives the prosciutto it’s distinctiveness is how thinly it is sliced.  It is sliced in paper thin strips.  You cannot cut it this thin with a knife – well, I guess you could try, but it’s typically sliced at a deli where they have a professional meat slicer.

If you have a food slicer at home, you can use that to slice the cured meat as well.  Keep in mind, prosciutto must be cured.   Taking a basic slab of ham from the store and slicing it paper thin will NOT produce prosciutto!

What is it used for?

Prosciutto is frequently used in antipasto dishes, or even wrapped around other foods such as vegetables or cheeses.

You can choose to buy pre-sliced prosciutto from a deli or super market, but try to look for ones which are from Italy.  They truly have the best.

What does it taste like?

Not all prosciutto tastes the same, so if you have a specific brand or style you like stick with it.  The reason has to do with what the pigs are fed.   Since pigs are not picky eaters they will eat just about anything in their way.  Therefore some farmers will make sure their pigs are only able to feed on specific foods like grains or grass.   Other farmers are more lax and let the pigs eat junk like other animal by products.  Naturally, all these factors can influence how the meat of the pig will taste.  Not always pretty – but it is reality.

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