Serrano ham is one of the best Spanish specialities.

Posted by audreytaylor on June 30th, 2013

Spanish cuisine consists of a great variety of dishes, variety due to differences in geography, culture and climate between the regions of this country. Spain's rich history and cultural influences have led to the birth of a unique cuisine with literally thousands of recipes and flavours. Its roots are Mediterranean and the fish and seafood are basic ingredients. The peninsula contains two major food types. Villages in north and northwest have a diet with a lot of animal fat. The other type is the precursor of the Mediterranean diet and it is found in the Iberian part of the peninsula. One of the most famous Spanish products which is known all over the world is Serrano ham, served with a glass of exquisite, fine wine.

Among the many recipes that make up the varied cuisine of Spain, some are common throughout the territory: potato omelette, gazpacho (cold tomato soup), paella (rice with saffron), stew and migas (day-old bread with garlic, smoked paprika and olive oil), chorizo (pork sausage with paprika), seafood, roasted lamb, grilled lamb chops, Serrano ham (dried salted ham) and cheese. Spaniards also eat a lot of vegetable dishes based on beans, lentils, chickpeas, soups and bread, with many regional varieties. Among the culinary specialties, you should really try the excellent Spanish Serrano ham, prepared by a local original recipe, with pork meat of the highest quality. In addition to meat - the main ingredient of the product, it also contains salt, pig fat, and some additives and preservatives.

Spanish people eat Serrano ham when they want a light dinner or instead of cheese, and it is usually accompanied by a glass of fine wine. It is served with bread or without it, cut into very thin slices. This is a kind of snack ("tapas") which is highly appreciated by wine consumers. According to specialists, this "culinary wonder" is placed first among all pork products, in terms of quality. Jamón Serrano, cut into pieces of 5.5 to 6.5 kg, is aged for a period of 11-13 months. True Jamón Serrano is sold together with a certificate showing originality. If you visit Spain, do not forget to go a restaurant for a glass of white or red wine, accompanied by this wonderful Spanish specialty. It will be a unique gastronomic experience.

Most people say the typical Spanish food is "paella", but Jamón Serrano must not be forgotten. The statement that Spaniards love ham is proved by the fact that generally a person consumes 5kg of Jamón Serrano per year. The ham is made with a very careful procedure and strictly supervised production and it can be bought in special stores. It can be consumed in many ways: as a cold dish, as a sandwich or next to boiled dishes, but Spaniards claim that it fits best with a slice of bread and a glass of fine wine.

Even if you are not in Spain, you can still enjoy a nice slice of Serrano ham with a glass of fine wine if you look for them in specialized stores that sell original, natural products.