What a ham! Chef Fabio Viviani surrounded by Prosciutto di Parma and Prosciutto di San Daniele and some wonderful Italian cheeses - Grana Padano and Montasio.
Culinary trends may get all of the attention but I have a special reverence for tried and true foods that have stood the test of time. Ham may not seem like a big deal but once you taste Prosciutto di Parma or Prosciutto di San Daniele, it becomes clear that Chef Fabio Viviani is only slightly exaggerating when he calls Prosciutto "the Holy Grail of cold cuts." I recently attended a "Legends from Europe" cooking demo hosted by Chef Viviani (Top Chef Fan Favorite, restaurateur, and author) where he showcased the versatility of Prosciutto and two classic Italian cheeses - Grana Padano and Montasio. Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto di San Daniele, Grana Padano, and Montasio are all regional Italian specialty foods that have been produced the same way for centuries and their exceptional quality has earned them the coveted PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certification from the European Union.
Even Chef Viviani admits that it is not easy to taste the subtle differences between Prosciutto di Parma (made from specially fed pigs cured at least 400 days only in the countryside near Parma) and Prosciutto di San Daniele (selected thighs from Italian pigs cured with sea salt and the special microclimate of San Daniele) but many describe Prosciutto di Parma as a little sweeter. Served thinly sliced, both hams are rich with the perfect balance of protein to fat - they just seem to melt in your mouth. Perfect alone or served with fresh melon, you can also cook with Prosciutto - it adds just the right amount of complexity to simple dishes.
And, if you're shopping for cheeses, Grana Padano (made from partially skimmed raw cow's milk, aged 9-24 months, with a grainy texture and mild & slightly sweet flavor) and Montasio (raw cow's milk cheese, aged 2-10 months, with a creamy texture and mild flavor) are both delicious options. Of course, both cheeses pair well with Prosciutto for a simple yet satisfying snack.
You can find these tasty legends from Europe at your local gourmet shop - in NYC get them at Eataly and DiPalo's. Mangia!
