Country Ham is an American ham often compared to air-dried European hams such as prosciutto and Serrano. These claims can be dangerously misleading, as those hams don’t need cooking, and Country Hams do. The cure allows it to be stored safely at room temperature, but doesn’t make it safe to eat without cooking. As well,…
Country Ham
Smithfield Ham
Smithfield Ham is a version of American a Country Ham. It also happens to be a Virginia Ham. It must by law be made in the city of Smithfield, Virginia, between the Suffolk and the James River. A lot of hams produced in Smithfield aren’t “Smithfield” hams: Smithfield-style is not the same thing. They don’t…
Virginia Ham
Virginia Ham is a country ham, made in the state of Virginia. There is no legal definition of the term. The pigs used to be fed acorns and peanuts; now they are fed ordinary pig fodder grain. A dry cure mix used at home, per 100 pounds (45 kg) of meat, tends to be about:…