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Glazed Prosciutto

17/11/2023

Naturally, the recipe for glazed prosciutto, also known as “glazed ham” in Anglo-Saxon countries, is a classic of festive lunches. Here’s a variant with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

  • 1 whole cured ham (about 5-7 kg), boneless and with fat
  • 3-4 bay leaves
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Cloves (to taste)
  • For the glaze:
    • 1/2 cup of honey
    • 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
    • Chili flakes (optional)
    • 1 orange, the grated zest and juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 160 °C.
  2. Place the ham in a wide baking dish, add bay leaves, garlic clove, and cover with water. You may want to wrap the ham with baking paper or aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  3. Cook in the oven for about 3 hours, until the meat is fully cooked. The general rule is to cook for about 20 minutes for every 500 grams of meat.
  4. While the ham is cooking, prepare the glaze by mixing the honey, balsamic vinegar, mustard, chili flakes if desired, the orange zest, and juice in a small bowl.
  5. After the cooking time, carefully remove the ham from the oven and increase the temperature to 200 °C.
  6. Remove the skin from the ham, leaving a layer of fat. Score the fat lightly to form a diamond pattern and insert cloves into the cuts, if desired.
  7. Brush a good amount of glaze on the ham and then return it to the oven.
  8. Continue to cook for another 30-40 minutes, basting with glaze every 10-15 minutes, until the surface of the ham becomes golden and shiny.
  9. Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Curiosity

In Italy, cured ham is usually served in very thin slices as an appetizer, but the cooked and glazed version is a tradition borrowed from Nordic and Anglo-Saxon customs. The glazing with honey and mustard adds a sweet and spicy contrast that enhances the salty and rich flavor of the meat.

Serve the glazed prosciutto with Italian-style sides such as roasted potatoes, mixed salad, or grilled vegetables, and perhaps with a fine glass of full-bodied red wine. Enjoy your meal!

Glazed Prosciutto