Krakus Ham

[Bob S]

Fie on Zoobba for saying those nasty things about Spanish hams. I happen to like Jamon Serrano and when I have the chance, I eat it with Gusto, I even have a ham holder in my house. There is a small store in Williamsburg, VA that sells Jamon Serrano and goes for about $259.00 for a whole ham. The hams of Spain are naturaly cured and the process takes about 14 months for the process.
In Virginia, we have the Virginia cured ham. This ham is rubbed in a salt, pepper mixture and then smoked. There are many ways to prepare the Virginia ham but I like it "natural".
Every bit of both hams are used even down to the bones which are used to make soup. The cost of a Virginia ham varies from $20.00 to $30.00 for a whole ham depending on weight
When I lived in Hamtramck, I was able to buy Polish ham but down South it is near impossible so I make do with what I have. ;D

[zooba]

That's what I have eaten, a big dried ham, I mean a whole leg of a lamb, on a special stand. this one did not stink but was so dry and cut in such thin transparent even slices that it tasted like paper. (a bit of exaggeration, I admit). But the smell of old socks was characteristic for dried sausages. All that I ate on Mallorca, was served by a Mallorcan family (not tourist stuff).
I can imagine that my perception can be shocking for Spaniards. I know some of you would never ever taste duck's blood soup (czernina), which I consider a delicacy. It's just that I'm used to it and other people to something different.

[jimpres]

I am fond of duck's blood soup as well and blood sausage. I grew up with these kind of dishes.

[Bob S]

zooba said:

That's what I have eaten, a big dried ham, I mean a whole leg of a lamb, on a special stand. this one did not stink but was so dry and cut in such thin transparent even slices that it tasted like paper. (a bit of exaggeration, I admit). But the smell of old socks was characteristic for dried sausages. All that I ate on Mallorca, was served by a Mallorcan family (not tourist stuff).
I can imagine that my perception can be shocking for Spaniards. I know some of you would never ever taste duck's blood soup (czernina), which I consider a delicacy. It's just that I'm used to it and other people to something different.

;D Zooba. I grew up eating Kiszka and Czarnina. My grandfather did the honors to the duck in our basement and my grandmother made the Czarnina. Spain has a sausage that is almost the same as Kiszka and in that country it is called Morcilla. The two types I know are Morcilla de Cebolla and Morcilla de Arroz. I one remarked to my wife "its nice that Spain is importing Sausages from Poland": No she replied, thats Morcilla. ;D

[Bob S]

;D Zooba i should have added; once you start on eating that dried ham it is very hard to stop. Now, the people who live in the Northern part of America think that this is a very disgusting way to eat ham but, I love it. ;D

[Pawian]

lily said:

lily here......

Polish ham in Poland was to die for ----we just looked at each other in disbelief.....

Yes, that was a typical impression of Poles in late 70s and all 80s. People were dying to buy it and when they succeeded, they looked at one another in disbelief: "We have made it!! We have bought real ham!!!

People from the West could never understand such feelings. Admiring a slice of ham? Incredible!

But it was true.

[Bob S]

;D Aha! I see that there was an ad from Tienda.com near Williamsburg, VA. This is the place my wife and I shop at. We take a drive up there on the weekends to see what they have to offer. The last time we were there we picked a White sheeps cheese that was very good and it was gone in about two days. Yum, yum!
;D

[jimpres]

Love that Polish ham. Hard to find here in San Diego

[Jaga]

In Poland ham was considered a luxury food. Here in America I long after "kielbasa wiejska" (farmers sausage) from Poland

Ham is nothing special for me anymore

[jimpres]

I enjoy all the sausages in Poland. Soon in about 2 weeks I will have more.