A Taste For… Parma Ham

The inspector from the Istituto Parma Qualità moves quickly amongst a selection of legs of ham. He pierces each ham in at least five spots using a special horse bone needle and sniffs the needle after each puncture. The needle is quite specialist; horse bone is porous to just the right degree that it takes in the smell from the piercing, holds it long enough for the inspector to smell it, then dissipates before the next piercing.

A slight, barely perceptible nod from the inspector indicates that a ham has passed. A worker following him lathers the ham with fat to protect it. Then, and only then, the ham is fire-branded with the distinctive Parma ham mark. Parma ham has PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status, and only products made in the area, to very strict and specific rules, can be labelled as such.

Parma ham leg being tested by inspector

I’m old enough to remember the days when Prosciutto di Parma e melone was a staple on restaurant menus across Britain; a fantail of ripe honeydew draped with soft, pink slices of Parma Ham. Today that simple dish may be considered passé but Parma Ham remains popular with restaurateurs and home cooks alike.

Over many centuries, the cured ham produced in Emilia-Romagna’s Parma province has come to be recognised for its consistently high quality, satiny softness and sweet, delicate flavour. But what makes Parma Ham so sought-after by discerning palates?

Many regions in Italy (and indeed the rest of Europe), cure pork legs to make a style of ham that is not dissimilar. Many are equally delicious but have their distinct textures and tastes that come from localised climates, ingredients and methods. Others, made from inferior pork or using less careful manufacturing processes, are simply not as good.

Plate of sliced Parma Ham

Since it was established in 1963, the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma (the Parma Ham Consortium) has safeguarded the genuine product and image of Parma Ham. Now representing nearly 200 members, the consortium governs ingredients, methods of production and quality standards and also markets the brand. Parma Ham was awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in 1996.

Parma ham legs being salted

Although the process has been passed down since pre-Roman times, today’s producers cleverly combine technology with traditional methods. Whereas once production was seasonal, modern refrigeration allows perfect conditions to be maintained throughout the year.

Parma ham legs after being salted

Only pork from selected breeds, born and raised on authorised farms in the region and fed on a diet heavy in maize, barley and whey (a by-product of the local cheese industry) can be used. As soon as the pork legs arrive at the factory, the maestro salatore (master of salt) applies a salt wash before spreading dry salt over the surface of each ham. Over the next few weeks, he checks the hams individually, removing and applying salt to ensure that just enough is absorbed to cure the meat without overwhelming the sweet, natural flavour.

Next the hams are hung for 70 days before being passed through what looks like a giant carwash, to brush and wash the salt off before being hung up once again to dry.

Parma ham legs hanging to dry

Now comes the initial curing in large ventilated rooms that recreate the cool conditions of open-windowed upper floors of local houses, where hams were traditionally hung to cure over winter. This phase lasts about three months, and by the end of it, the exposed surface of the meat has dried and hardened.

Parma ham legs having stucco applied

The surface of each ham is then softened and protected with a paste of minced fat, salt and pepper, before the hams are hung for their final curing. They hang for 12 months before the independent Istituto Parma Qualità inspector checks them meticulously – every single ham, one at a time.

Parma ham inspector's horse bone needle

The inspector is quick but thorough; intently focused. Only hams which pass his tests are fire-branded with the Parma Ham Ducal mark, a five-pointed crown.

Parma ham leg with quality stamp

Unsurprisingly, Parma Ham is widely enjoyed in its region of manufacture; traditionally served without adornment as antipasto ahead of the meal to come. Italians also love dishes such as saltimbocca alla Romana in which veal and sage leaves are rolled in slices of ham and cooked in dry white wine.

Today, we use Parma ham in many diverse ways, serving it not only in salads and charcuterie selections but on pizzas and in pastas, as an ingredient in dishes such as quiches and pies, as a topping for waffles and French toast, and in croquettes.

Parma Ham and Stilton Croquettes

Parma Ham and Stilton Croquettes

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Parma Ham and Stilton Croquettes

These delicious croquettes are best enjoyed fresh and hot out of the fryer. 
Author Parma Ham Consortium

Ingredients

For the croquettes:

  • 50 g butter
  • 70 g plain flour
  • 275 ml milk
  • 100 g stilton, crumbled
  • 100 g Parma Ham, chopped

For the coating:

  • 50 g flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 100 g panko breadcrumbs
  • oil, for deep-frying
  • salt and cayenne pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • For the croquettes, melt the butter in a large, heavy-based saucepan, and whisk in the flour for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is thick and smooth.
  • Slowly pour in the milk and whisk continuously to form a thick sauce.
  • Stir in the stilton and remove the pan from the heat. Stir through the Parma Ham, season to taste, and leave to cool. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • When ready to cook, shape the mixture into small balls and then coat them: roll in the flour, followed by the beaten eggs, and finally the breadcrumbs.
  • Return the croquette to the fridge and repeat the same process until the mixture is used up.
  • Heat a large saucepan ¾ full of oil and deep-fry the croquettes over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden-brown.
  • Drain on kitchen paper and serve immediately.

Based on a visit organised by a campaign by the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma (the Parma Ham Consortium) to discover the origins of Parma Ham. Recipe courtesy of the consortium.

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10 Comments to "A Taste For… Parma Ham"

  1. Nicole Anderson

    Having read this post, I now have a whole new level of appreciation for the impressive and lengthy process that goes into preparing Parma Hams. The final check at the end by the inspector to ensure quality control is really good, although I do wonder what happens to the hams that do not pass. Your recipe here looks just devine and I imagine the pairing of the ham with stilton would be a lovely, tasty match.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Many are sold as unbranded ham, as they are still fine for consumption. They just can’t be branded Parma ham.

    Reply
  2. kaveyeats

    Prosciutto is the generic Italian word for ham. Parma is a specific type made to specific rules, and with a protected designated origin… Similarly, there is San Daniele, another ham made to its own specific rules, and with protected status. There are many many other protected hams and then many non-PDO ones. So Parma ham is a type of prosciutto but all prosciutto are not Parma ham. If sliced, then yes it must be kept in the fridge. If you have a whole, sealed leg then it does not need to be refrigerated, though I’d probably not allow it to get warm.

    Reply

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