What’s prosciutto and why you need to try this Italian specialty

MANILA, Philippines – Italy is known for its stunning sun-dappled scenery, rich cultural heritage, and of course, luxurious food. It’s a land of gastronomical delights, and theirs is arguably one of the most well-loved cuisines in the world. 

Is the idea of pasta, pizza, and gelato making your mouth water? There’s another Italian specialty you shouldn’t miss out on, too – prosciutto. 

This Italian specialty deserves as much time in the culinary limelight as its more popular siblings. It’s a dry-cured, thinly sliced ham that’s best served uncooked – and its salty taste and buttery texture will melt right in your mouth. 

Interested? Here are a couple of reasons why you need to try this Italian favorite. 

The curing process is practically an art 

Prosciutto feels and tastes more premium compared to regular hams, thanks to its curing process, which usually takes up to two – or even three – years. 

The meat is taken from a pig’s thigh, then cured three times. The final cure usually takes place for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three. 

It’s truly a long and painstaking process, but the results are apparent in the prosciutto’s complex and concentrated flavor, which is a little more tangy, salty, and smoky than your regular ham.

It can be enjoyed in different ways

This delicate meat is versatile and can be served multiple ways, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

The salty prosciutto is usually served as an appetizer, wrapped around either sweet fruits such as melons, nectarines, figs, and cantaloupe. It can also be paired with broccolini, asparagus, fennel, and other vegetables. 

Or serve it on a charcuterie board, which is a food platter containing an assortment of various meats, cheese, fruits, and nuts. 

Cheese lovers can savor the delightful combo of melted cheese and prosciutto. It’s good with coccoli, which are fried dough balls, and stracchino, a soft and creamy kind of cheese. 

It’s also the perfect topping – whether on a salad, pasta, or pizza. 

And the good news is, you don’t have to go to Italy to eat this premium ham – you can try it right here in the Philippines at a reasonable price.

The new Shakey’s Prosciutto Parmigiano pizza offers generous servings of prosciutto slices and parmesan cheese on a thin crust. Get the a la carte large thin crust pizza for P550. You can also enjoy this new pizza in a meal deal called the Prosciutto Meal Deal, inclusive of a choice of any pasta platter, 4 pcs of Chicken n’ Mojos, and a pitcher of soda for only P1,199 for dine-in and take-out, and P1,299 for delivery. 

See if prosciutto lives up to the hype and check out the nearest Shakey’s near you! – Rappler.com