Is Prosciutto Raw? The Truth About Cured Meats
List of pertinent information about prosciutto being raw:
1. Prosciutto is a cured meat.
2. Dry-cured prosciutto, such as Parma ham, can be eaten raw.
3. There are two main types of prosciutto: Crudo and Cotto.
4. Crudo prosciutto is dried, not raw, and undergoes a minimum of 12 months of drying and curing.
5. Cotto prosciutto is smoked and cooked like deli ham and does not undergo the same drying and preservation process.
6. Prosciutto made in Italy follows strict rules and uses high-quality pork.
7. Some prosciutto may contain additional ingredients, such as nitrates, for color, taste, and preservation.
8. The dry-curing process involves building up natural penicillin on the meat for protection and using salt to inhibit bacterial growth and draw out moisture.
9. Prosciutto can be eaten in a sandwich or wrapped around melon.
10. Cooking prosciutto intensifies its saltiness.
11. The Romans used prosciutto for taste and preservation due to the lack of refrigeration.