Cooked ham: quality and properties

Cooked ham is an Italian product obtained by cooking the appropriately salted leg of pork. In some cases, the cooked ham may also be flavoured with herbs and spices.

In this article we will give you an overview of the characteristics of cooked ham and help you to distinguish it according to its quality.

Characteristics of cooked ham

Cooked ham is immediately recognisable by its round shape and light pink interior. The slices are characterised by a thin rim of fat, which is typical of the leg of pork; it is precisely the fat that gives the ham its full flavour.

Cooked ham does not have an ancient history, but is a young product that is nevertheless already very popular with consumers. Cooked ham is not only particularly tasty and fragrant, but also a very versatile product that can be used in the kitchen to prepare various dishes.

Quality cooked ham: what distinguishes it?

Cooked ham is produced throughout Italy and, with the exception of Cotto di Cinta Senese PDO, is not subject to any production specifications; however, there is Italian legislation that distinguishes three types of the product.

The distinction is based on the ratio between the water content and the lean meat content.

Simple cooked ham: it is obtained from the leg of the pig processed in the same way as raw ham, i.e. boned, without tendons and rind. For this type, the specified humidity is below or at 82%.
Selected cooked ham: For this type, at least 3 of the 4 main muscles of the whole leg must be recognisable. The moisture content must be 79.5 % or less.
High-quality cooked ham: 3 of the 4 main muscles of the whole leg must be identifiable, but the moisture content must be no more than 76,5 %.

How many calories does cooked ham have?

The calorie content of cooked ham can vary depending on the type of ham; for example, normal cooked ham is around 119 kcal per 100 g of the product. High-quality cooked ham, on the other hand, can contain around 200 kcal per 100 g. In general, the chosen cotto is between 130 and 150 Kcal per 100 g.

The nutritional content of ham is mainly protein and ranges from 18 to 21 g (depending on the variety) per 100 g of the product. It also contains a lot of iron and other nutrients such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus and is high in B vitamins.

Can cooked ham be consumed during pregnancy?

Cooked ham is a safe food for pregnant women. The name itself confirms this: Cooked products are not dangerous because cooking kills bacteria and parasites such as Toxoplasma that are dangerous for the foetus. However, it is recommended to limit consumption to once a week, as it is a high-fat and high-salt food; therefore, it is not recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure.

Recipes with cooked ham

Cooked ham is a versatile and very tasty food that can enrich many dishes with its flavour. We offer you a tasty recipe with cooked ham that you can suggest as a first course on Sunday or as a starter for an important occasion.

Crepes Roses

Ingredients:

2 whole eggs

250 g 00 flour

500 ml milk

300 g cooked ham

400 g Crescenza cheese

The recipe is simple and consists of preparing the crêpes according to the basic recipe, filling them and wrapping them in the shape of a rose before putting them in the oven to bake.

Put the eggs, flour and finally the milk in a blender. Blend the ingredients until the batter is smooth and runny with no lumps.

Transfer to a bowl, cover the mixture with cling film and leave to rest for 1 hour.

Then take the dough and mix it again. Heat a non-stick pan greased with a little oil or a knob of butter, or use an electric crêpe pan. Pour in a ladleful of batter and make sure the mixture is evenly distributed. Cook for a few minutes over a medium heat. Use a spatula to turn the crêpe and continue baking on the other side. Do the same with all the other crêpes until the batter is used up.

Once the crêpes are ready, cut each crêpe in half and fold it into a rectangle on the curved side. Using a piping bag, place half a slice of cooked ham and some Crescenza cheese on each crêpe.

Roll up the filled crêpe and place it in a baking dish. Continue until you have finished the crêpe roses and bake them at 180° for a few minutes until the cheese has melted and the roses are just golden brown.

Price of cooked ham

The price of cooked ham can vary depending on the quality. As a rule, the price ranges from 175.76 euros per whole piece (approx. 11 kg) to 260.00 euros per 11 kg if it has been produced without added preservatives.

In our shop you will find excellent quality hams, but also products without added preservatives like Come una volta di Brivio or Brivio top quality.

Here you will also find excellent PDO Cinta Senese cooked ham at a great price.

Check it out now!

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Cooked ham: quality and properties