Re: Christmas came early at casa holymadness -- UPDATED with photos

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by holymadness

Is it illegal to import to the USA? My father-in-law and I have pipe dreams of starting a jamon exporting business.


If I recall, it was illegal until about 2005... then last year they cranked down on the regulations, saying it could not be imported with the hoof. I assume that was enacted.

 

[pebblegrain]

I understood you still have to trim the hoof even today. So I'm curious what holeyhamdess' story for receiving this gift is...

 

[TheIdler]

People say it'll last forever with the cloth over it, but they never last for long in my house.

Also, cutting it with that special knife takes practice to get the slices real thin. But when you do...

 

[holymadness]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

If I recall, it was illegal until about 2005... then last year they cranked down on the regulations, saying it could not be imported with the hoof. I assume that was enacted.
Without the hoof, how can you tell it's pata negra?

Originally Posted by pebblegrain

I understood you still have to trim the hoof even today. So I'm curious what holeyhamdess' story for receiving this gift is...
I don't live in America. This particular ham was just driven across the border by my inlaws.

Originally Posted by TheIdler

People say it'll last forever with the cloth over it, but they never last for long in my house. Also, cutting it with that special knife takes practice to get the slices real thin. But when you do...

After doing some reading, I learned you should cover the exposed meat with the trimmed-away fat before wrapping it in a cloth to prevent it from drying out (this is my first whole jamón). I'll probably start carving it after I go to the market on Thursday. I can post photos if anyone's interested in seeing how it's (probably not supposed to be) done.

 

[HORNS]

I'd love to see photos, the knife used, where you started on the ham, whatever and all of the above.

What kind of cloth is being referred to so you can keep the meat from drying out? Do you use a flour sack cloth with food or pharmacy grade mineral oil on it?

 

[SField]

This is a bit of a rude question; but do you have some idea of what that gift might cost the average consumer?

 

[holymadness]

Originally Posted by HORNS

I'd love to see photos, the knife used, where you started on the ham, whatever and all of the above. What kind of cloth is being referred to so you can keep the meat from drying out? Do you use a flour sack cloth with food or pharmacy grade mineral oil on it?
Will do. I was just told to use any old cloth; oil wasn't mentioned. We're using some old dishtowels.

Originally Posted by SField

This is a bit of a rude question; but do you have some idea of what that gift might cost the average consumer?
Somewhat cheaper than you might expect, both because the bone counts for much of the weight and because it was bought in Spain rather than abroad. Price would depend on AOC and other criteria for quality, but I'd guess around 200 € for the whole leg (which weighs between 6.5 and 7.5kg). Puro bellota starts at around 350 € iirc but can go much higher. I've seen some hams in València advertised for as little as 100 €, but then it becomes a question of what you're paying for. EDIT: forgot to mention these prices are before VAT, so add another 18%.

 

[Huntsman]

Awesome gift. Really, this is pretty cool. I can't imagine having that puppy hanging around. Midnight snacks FTW! Congrats.

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by mharwitt

that's the least appetizing turkey i've ever seen
I swear to god I had no idea that it wasn't some sort of weird ass Turkey until I started reading the thread.

 

[Cognacad]

I was quite confident it wasn't a turkey, but I wouldn't of fought it if people in this thread said it was!

 

[acidboy]

nice piggy!

I've heard of some places serving this on warmed plates. Is this the right practice?

 

[Thomas]

Enjoy it in good health.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by holymadness

You're welcome to have some if ever you're in town. I'm already fantasizing about the soups I'll make with it.
Thank you sir. Booking my ticket as we speak.

 

[Douglas]

I have always understood you could get these, though they are expensive, and I don't know if they're the ultimate in quality. http://www.tienda.com/food/products/jm-106.html?site=1 That's the Iberico Bellota - though you can get a bone-in "plain" Serrano (I don't know the other grades) for considerably less: http://www.tienda.com/food/products/jm-65.html?site=1 La Tienda is a nice site - I've ordered some things from them before and they're reliable and reputable. I've considered these hams a number of times, but I think I'd have a tough time getting through the whole thing. Might get one for my wedding though. I'm curious about that knife though - the slicing seems like it might be tricky.

 

[Alter]

Whoa! Nice gift! Post some jamon pron once you cut into it, please.