Jamón serrano is a Spanish cured ham with a deep and complex flavor. It is prepared by salting and resting pork legs for two weeks before hanging them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place for 6-18 months. The ham has a delicate flavor and can be eaten straight or used in recipes. It should be stored in a cool, dry place and refrigerated after opening.
Jamón serrano is a Spanish cured ham that is sometimes referred to as “Spanish ham”, referring to a similar and better known meat product. However, it is markedly different from ham, as any Spaniard will be quick to inform you, with a much deeper and more complex flavour. This ham is raw, meaning it is not cooked at any point in the curing process, but the process itself makes the ham safe to eat.
In Spanish, jamón serrano means “mountain ham”, referring to the traditional production area. This ham is prepared by cleaning and cutting pork legs, salting them and then letting them rest for two weeks to absorb the moisture. Then, the hams are washed to remove most of the salt and hung in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place for 6-18 months. As a general rule, the ham is cured for about a year.
The mountains are the best place to produce serrano jamón, because they are cool, dry and breezy. In the lowlands of Spain, the climate is much hotter and the hams can spoil before they have a chance to cure. When the cure is complete, the bone-in ham has turned a rich pink color and the slices can be shaved and served. Some butchers keep a ham ready to cut into pieces for customers if needed, and all ham serrano for entertaining is also kept in some private homes and restaurants.
This ham has a very delicate flavour, with a low salt content, as the salt is washed away. High-quality jamón serrano will almost melt in your mouth and is generally low in fat. While still sealed in the natural rind that develops during the curing process, the ham can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a year. Once the ham has been opened, the clock starts ticking, as exposure to air can either dry out the inside of the ham or expose it to moisture and mold which could potentially cause the ham to go stale. Some people recommend refrigeration after opening the ham to keep it safe.
There are several ways to use jamón serrano. This ham can be eaten straight or wrapped around a melon wedge or a slice of Manchego cheese, a Spanish specialty. It can also be paired with bread, olives and other appetizers or added to recipes that call for ham. Generally, light cooking is best for jamón serrano when used in a recipe, as you don’t want to spoil the flavor.
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