Prosciuttini is part of the Famous Italian cuisine. They are cured dried and salted thin ham slices which you can combine with many foods. They will create wonderful food ideas!! You can accompany it with pasta or use it with certain salads, especially spinach salad which will improve the flavor of both.
But remember that Prosciuttini is beyond your imagination of a normal ham. Unlike a normal ham, you can use this as an appetizer before the meals. Moreover, you can use it as an assortment platter with bread and cheese. But no matter how you use it you will enjoy its unique flavor to the fullest.
History
Now you know its origin is from Italy.Prosciuttini is also known as Prosciutto. You can identify two types of prosciutto,
- Proscuitto Cotto – Coooked ham
- Proscuito Crudo – Cured ham
What is the difference between prosciutto and Prosciuttini?
Both prosciutto and Prosciuttini are Italian Hams made from pork. The only difference is the way you make it. “Prosciutto” is just the normal Italian word for ham while “Prosciuttini” is kind of a polish ham spiced with black pepper. However, Prosciutto means a thin, cured, and salted ham slice.
How can you make it?
To explain in a simple way, first, you have to select good-quality pork legs. Then you can season and add salt to prevent bacteria growth and remove moisture in the meat. Salt also adds flavor. You can add garlic paste for further flavor enrichment. After nearly 1.5 months remove salt by washing with warm water and distilled vinegar. Then store this in a dry condition for 12-36 months. Finally, get the prosciutto with desired flavor and texture!
Taste profile
As you already know Prosciuttini is salt-cured. Therefore it has a salt taste along with a sweet taste in meat. But however mainly flavor varies with the production location. As each slice contain streaks of fat it has a unique flavor. Furthermore, the added herbs and spices like garlic, pepper also enrich the flavor more.
Types of Prosciuttini
Based on the preparation methods we can identify several Prosciuttini types. They are Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Proscuitto di modena, Prosciutto di San Daniele DOP,Prosciutto Toscano, Prosciutto di Parma DOP and Prosciutto di San Daniele DOP.
Prosciutto di Parma DOP is a unique product of Parma province. While Prosciutto di San Daniele DOP is special for Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy. The climate and higher altitude in Parma province is responsible for the sweeter flavor and darker color to the meat.
How Prosciuttini add value to your meals?
Before adding value to your meal you should know how to enhance your taste buds with prosciuttini. That’s easy. Make thin slices and keep them inside your mouth. Then you will feel the unique taste when fat starts melting in your tongue. When leaner parts touch your tongue you’ll feel the salty and sweet flavor more precisely.
It is easy to make perfect combinations of prosciuttini with vegetables and fruits. In addition, you can use it as a pizza topping.
Prosciuttini and vegetables
Prosciutto can make perfect blends with vegetables. You can serve green peas and fresh mint with chopped Prosciutto. Green beans are also a good match. However the most frequently people use grilled or boiled asparagus with Prosciuttini. Moreover, you can also use Prosciuttini slices in sandwiches with vegetables.
Prosciuttini and fruits
Prosciutto is ideal to combine with fruits too. Delicious prosciutto will give you a salty unique flavor that you can combine with juiciness and the sweetness of fruits. You can experience a divine delicacy. Fruits like mangoes, nectarines, and peaches are more suitable for pairing with prosciutto.
As a topping
You can add sliced Prosciuttini on pizza as a topping. This works best for plain layered Neopolitan pizza.
If you want a crispy topping, again you can Prosciuttini. It works best for salads, pasta, and soups. But how? it’s simple. Make thin strips of Prosciuttini by chopping and fry them. Use medium heat. Make wonderful experiences with Prosciuttini!.
Prosciuttini and fried dough
Use thick slices of Prosciuttini with freshly fried dough balls (Coccoli) with cheese. Wrap the Prosciuttini around the dough balls and enjoy the taste. You’ll never forget delicacy.
Nutrition facts
| CALORIES 70 | TOTAL FAT 1.5g 2% | CARBOHYDRATES 3g 1% | PROTEIN 10g 20% |
| AMOUNT PER SERVING | % OF DAILY VALUE |
| Trans Fat 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0.5 g | 3% |
| Iron | 2% |
| Sodium 590 mg | 25% |
Where can you find best prosciutto?
The answers to this question are Parma and San Daniele cities. Prosciutto di San Daniele and Prosciutto di Parma have the most famous Prosciuttini types. They have the Prosciuttini cured for the longest time.
Why it is expensive?
Prosciutto is a superior quality product where it is easily traceable throughout the production process. Its quality control mechanisms are also precise during production. Due to the high-quality and sometimes importation costs, Its price is higher than most of the cured meats.
Is Prosciuttini healthier than other cured meats?
Compared to other cured products like bacon, Prosciutto has low calories and low-fat content. Therefore it becomes a healthier option.
Similar to other cured meats Prosciuttini also has a long shelf life. But it cannot be kept more than its shelf life because the meat starts to spoil due to microbial action. Once you open the package oxygen will start oxidation reactions in meat and affect the flavor and color properties of meat.
Difference between Prosciuttini and pancetta
The difference is based on where you take meat from the pig. Manufacturers use pig belly to produce pancetta, whereas hind leg to produce prosciutto. As Pancetta is just the cured one, You have to cook them before consumption.
Prosciutto is cured and air-dried for months. That means it is safe to eat without cooking. Both these pork products can be found in sliced form.
Difference between prosciutto and Parma ham
What is the difference between Parma ham and prosciutto? In the Italian tongue, we call ham, prosciutto. Therefore parma ham and prosciutto di Parma are essentially the same product.
What is cappacuolo?
This is also a product similar to Prosciuttini. The difference is that meat for the Cappacuolo production is taken from the neck or the shoulder region of the pig. This muscle part is known as “coppa” which has a perfect balance of fat and meat. This product is also cured, seasoned, and salted for several months. Curing and salting make the meat unsuitable for most of the harmful bacteria growth. Therefore after the dry curing process meat becomes safer for consumption.
Impact of Prosciuttini for pet animals
As mentioned earlier cured meats like ham are salty and high in fat. This makes them very harmful to animals like dogs and cats. consumption of Prosciuttini can lead to pancreatitis and stomach aches.
Final thoughts
You can serve prosciutto the best way you prefer. Make perfect combinations of fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, and wine. The long-term aged prosciutto is best to enjoy their own, while the shorter aged prosciutto is better with pizza and pasta.
Combine prosciuttini with different meals and enjoy the food with your loved ones. And don’t forget to leave your comments!
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