Most people have heard of prosciutto, but many people aren’t familiar with prosciuttini. Prosciuttini is Italian pepper ham, and it is different from prosciutto in how it is prepared. When you see prosciuttini, it will look like a Polish ham and will likely be covered in black pepper.
How Prosciuttini Is Prepared and Sold
The most beloved Italian charcuterie, Prosciuttini 😋Enjoy fresh Italian cured meats made in-house to capture the true taste of Italian cuisine #tasteitaly 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/8nFSTwzHuf
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Prosciuttini means “small prosciutto” in Italian. It is a salted, dried, and spicy ham that you can find in butcher shops and supermarkets, and it is usually either sliced or in pieces. Like prosciutto, it is taken from the pig (the hind legs) and then cured for several months—usually around seven months but up to 30 months. Prosciuttini is not smoked but is cured like salami is, while prosciutto is air-cured with the bone still intact.
Prosciuttini is also called black pepper ham or even spiced prosciutto.
Prosciuttini is mild and sweet, and the more pepper that is on there, the better it tends to taste.
It is sometimes difficult to find prosciuttini, but you can often find it in Italian grocery stores and butcher shops that offer a varied selection.
Prosciuttini is normally eaten as an appetizer, as an item included on a tray with meats and cheeses, and even as an addition to salads.
A Premium Type of Ham
One thing you have to remember is that prosciuttini is very high-quality ham, taken only from the best pieces of meat. It is sliced very thin and practically melts on your tongue, and it is usually topped with fresh peppercorns. Just looking at prosciuttini makes you want to dive in and take a bite. Add some fruits and cheese, and maybe a glass of wine, and you have the perfect snack or appetizer.
Ho hum Tuesdays, at it again. Better get some premium Italian meats in your life, asap.
Genoa salami, capicola, and prosciuttini wreaking havoc on boring. pic.twitter.com/0gxWV1aUMo
— Capriotti’s (@capriottis) February 25, 2020
Sometimes, cooks will wrap prosciuttini around a honeydew melon or cantaloupe, and you can also use it as a pasta side dish or even sprinkled in a spinach salad.
How To Serve Prosciuttini
By now you’re probably thinking that prosciuttini goes with just about everything, and in a way, it does. The following are some of the best ways to serve prosciuttini at your next dinner party:
Prosciuttini With Vegetables
Veggies such as green peas, artichokes, asparagus, and green beans taste great with prosciuttini, and you don’t even have to cook this type of ham because it is ready to eat as soon as you buy it.
Prosciuttini With Fruits
When you pair prosciuttini with the sweet juiciness of various fruits, it is an experience you won’t soon forget. If you’re looking for the best fruits to serve with a salty helping of prosciuttini, try mangoes, nectarines, peaches, and apricots.
Prosciuttini on Pizza
When you’re making a Neapolitan-style pizza, fresh slices of prosciuttini really add to the already amazing flavor. It can actually enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.
If a Crispy Topping Is Needed
If you’re preparing a soup, salad, risotto, or pasta dish and need some crispy toppings to round out the flavor, prosciuttini is the perfect solution. To do this, slice the ham very thin and fry it over medium heat until it gets a bit crunchy. Then place it over your stew or soup to make the dish come alive.