For a full flavored dry cured ham nothing beats the award winning Prosciutto di Parma imported directly from the renowned region of Parma, Italy where select breeds of Parma pigs are carefully raised and fed a special diet to produce a succulent and tasty Italian meat. The European Union and the Italian government have embarked on a 3-year marketing initiative to promote the famous hams of Parma, Italy and the prosciutto di Parma is the flagship product of the campaign.

From 11 region of northern Italy select pigs are bred to produce what is know as prosciutto di Parma, a fine boneless dry cured ham that comes from Large White, Landrance and Duroc Parma pigs. These large and heavy hogs are fed a special diet of grains, cereals and whey to ensure steady growth and an excellent state of health.

The prosciutto di Parma is subject to the strict quality standards of the Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano, an association of over 200 producers that oversee and regulate the exporting of Italian foods from the region, and only achieves its 5 point ducal crown mark when it passes their stringent quality control.

As early as 100 B.C. the hams of Parma were being talked about as early writings from Cato describe heavy pork legs cured in barrels of salt before being dried and smoked. Nearly 1000 years ago the conqueror Hannibal is believed to have stopped just north of Parma to fortify his armies with the filling and nourishing hams of the northern Italian region. Traditionally every household in Parma would keep at least one pig to be butchered in the late fall. This would precede the winter festival known as “maialata”, a local feast that is still celebrated today and features the best of the seasonal pork.

Prosciutto di Parma is usually found in 15-18lb packages and is directly imported from the Parma region of Italy. This celebrated ham is traditionally served with three or four slices of the prosciutto draped decoratively on a plate with bread and a bottle of a slightly sparkling white wine. Many traditional and contemporary Italian dishes feature the Prosciutto di Parma and many more are just waiting to be discovered. Order your Parma ham today and get ready for the king of all Italian cured meats.