Saturday 19 January 2008

Little Foodies bids farewell to the Jamon

When I wrote the post here, about the annual jamon, I wasn't paying much attention and I certainly wasn't up to researching the inside leg measurements of said pig. I'd tasted it, knew it melted in my mouth, leaving a resonant sweet and deep taste. I realise now of course that even though ONLY glimpsed at from the utility room door, the colour of the hoof should have given it away. I realise now, the hoof was unmistakably black and deserved respect. It was the hoof of a Jamón Iberico de Bellota) . So, I did indeed insult the poor thing by referring to it as mere Jamon Serrano. I am wilfully naive, nay, ignorant!

So, giving thanks to the beautiful pig that has given us many feasts over the last few weeks, here are a few ways that we could eat Spanish Jamon in our house.
  • Sliced from the bone and popped immediately into the mouth with small voices chirping in the background 'MORE' - 'I want more!' - 'He has a bigger piece than me.' 'I don't want it cooked, why can't we just eat it like this?' - 'I SAID I wanted more!'
  • Jamon and Lentil Stew with root vegetables, good stock and a big glug of sherry.
  • Jamon Croquetas
  • Jamon and Scrambled Eggs
  • Jamon and Cheese Scones
  • Jamon Tortilla
  • Jamon and Pea Soup
  • Jamon Muffins
  • Baked Jamon & Cauliflower Cheese
  • Spicy Rice with Jamon
  • Jamon & Tomato Pasta
and right now as I type the bone of the jamon is in a large pot of water, it's been on the boil for hours, hopefully resulting in a beautiful jamon stock.

16 comments:

glamah16 said...

Good use of Jamon. Looks tasty.

Aimée said...

Sounds like it has given you many memorable meals! Farewell Jamon!

Truffle said...

Oh Amanda, I can't tell you how jealous I am of you and all that delicious jamon!

Marie Rayner said...

I was recently gifted with some beautiful jamon by a beautiful friend from Gibraltor who happened by our place. I shall indeed use some of your tasty sounding ideas! I was not quite sure what to do with it as I had never had it before!

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Hi Glamah16, it was really good!

Hi Aimee, actually quite glad it's finished, for a while anyway. Too much of a good thing and all that...

Hi Truffle, it definitely still tastes better when you're eating it in Spain.

Hi Marie, our favourite way is to eat it sliced straight from the bone without messing around with it, but when you have a whole jamon you need to start doing things with it once you've cut into it before it goes off. It starts to taste stronger and stronger by the end of it and then I think it tastes better cooked.

Thanks for your comments
Amanda x

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

Oh man...farewell to that beautiful leg :) (hehe)

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Hi CC, ah, you loved that leg! :))
Ax

KellytheCulinarian said...

Oh my goodness. I don't know if I could cook with something that still has a hoof.

Cynthia said...

Oh goodness gracious, I would want to nibble at the ends of that jamon, serious :)

Katie Zeller said...

That pig deserves your respect... I'm so jealous....sigh!

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Hi Kelly, Once tasted I'm sure you could.

Hi Cynthia, I'm not good with toes and black toe nails (even if they are actually a hoof), I just couldn't do it. But the thigh bone - for sure!

Hi Katie, it got it in the end - it was super good!

Thank you for your comments.
Amanda x

Pig in the Kitchen said...

oh. Eeewww. Mmmgpfff. The vegetarian in me is offended. I'm very happy that you enjoyed it!
Pigx

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Hi Pig, sorry!
Ax

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Incredible what you gotten from this little piggie!

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Hi Tanna, It is a real treat to have a whole jamon, and when it's just for a family of four, that's a lot of ham.

Hi Nik0, we certainly did. We love tomato bread with jamon on top too... Infact how could we not like it however it is served.

Anonymous said...

Now that we can finally buy legs of jamon in the USA, I've definitely considered saving my pennies for a whole leg. But with only 2 of us in the household I figured this would not be a good idea since we'd either 1) start sprouting hooves and a snout or 2) die from a heart attack within 3 months. But I must say, I am so jealous to see that you were lucky to have one around... even if only to stare at it's beauty in your kitchen! amy @ www.weareneverfull.com

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