It’s one of the most elegant cured meats we sell at our traditional pork butchery. Raw ham needs foods that bring out its best flavor.
Picking great raw materials that can go with the main dish is the most important thing to remember. For example, the raw ham should be the star of a piadina (flatbread) or a sandwich, a starter or a salad.
Don’t forget that “raw” can mean a lot of different kinds of ham, from the very sweet Parma to the salty Toscano.
Complementing Ham’s Savory Goodness A Guide to Pairing Fruit for Maximum Flavor
Ham is a salty, savory cured meat that stars in many beloved dishes. But have you considered pairing ham with fruit? Sweet, tart fruits can provide a delicious contrast to ham’s rich umami flavor. The key is selecting fruits that balance and enhance ham’s signature taste.
In this article, we’ll explore optimal fruit pairings for different types of ham and share recipe ideas to inspire your cooking. Read on to learn how fruit takes ham to the next level!
Classic Fruit Pairings for Cooked Ham
For cooked ham, classic fruit pairings based on flavor principles are
Apples – The sweetness of apples balances the saltiness of ham. The juicy crunch also contrasts nicely with ham’s tender texture. Sliced apples or homemade applesauce are easy options.
Peaches – In summer, peaches are a classic match for cooked ham. Their sweetness offsets ham’s saltiness perfectly. Grilled peaches add nice smokiness.
Pineapple – Pineapple’s tropical sweetness is another go-to pairing. The fruit’s enzymes help break down ham’s proteins. Fresh pineapple rings or a crushed pineapple glaze work well.
Pears – Like apples, pears offer light sweetness to counter ham’s salt. Their subtler flavor lets the ham shine. Poached or roasted pears pair nicely.
Citrus – Oranges, tangerines, grapefruit – their tartness balances the rich saltiness of ham. Add vibrant color and refreshing zing.
Classic Fruit Pairings for Dry-Cured Ham
For intensely salty dry-cured hams like prosciutto, the best fruit pairings are:
Figs – Figs offer a subtly sweet, honeyed depth that perfectly complements dry-cured ham. Their texture also contrasts nicely with the ham’s thin slices.
Berries – Tart red berries like strawberries and raspberries cut through salty prosciutto or speck ham with bright acidic flavor.
Melon – Honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon have high water content to balance the dry saltiness of prosciutto ham. A classic Italian antipasto pairing.
Stone Fruit – Peaches, nectarines, apricots – their sweetness offsets dry-cured ham’s pronounced saltiness. Grilling adds nice smoky notes.
Apples – Light sweetness of crunchy apples balances intense salty flavors of dry-cured ham. Tart green apples work nicely.
Unexpected Fruit Pairings for Ham
Beyond the classics, consider these surprising fruit combinations that delightfully enhance ham:
Mango – Mango’s tropical sweetness and smooth texture forms an unexpected perfect pair with ham’s saltiness. Works with both cooked ham and prosciutto.
Persimmons – This unique fall fruit has almost honey-like sweetness contrasting beautifully with ham’s rich savoriness.
Pomegranate Seeds – Their pop of tart sweetness offsets salty ham. Adding crunchy textural contrast. Delicious in ham salads.
Grapes – Red grapes offer juicy bursts of sweetness to balance ham. Green grapes have pleasant sourness that cuts through saltiness.
Blueberries – Their gentle sweet-tart quality provides nice balance to ham without overpowering it. Adds freshness and color.
Kiwi – Kiwi offers a tropical tart sweetness and smoothie texture to complement ham’s savoriness. Works nicely in ham fruit salads.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with whatever fruits are fresh and in season. The variety of flavors from sweet to tart work marvelously with ham.
Stunning Ham and Fruit Recipes to Try
These recipes let the complementary flavors of ham and fruit shine:
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Grilled figs wrapped in prosciutto – a classic Italian starter.
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Spinach salad with pears, maple ham, and goat cheese – earthy, sweet, salty flavors harmonize.
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Ham sandwich with mango chutney and arugula – sweet, tart, and peppery.
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Broiled pineapple rings with brown sugar honey glazed ham – caramelized crispy edges.
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Green melon and Serrano ham skewers – refreshing combination.
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Quinoa salad with ham, strawberries, feta – colorful medley of flavors and textures.
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Blueberry, peach, and prosciutto flatbread pizza – fruity summer deliciousness!
Take your ham recipes to the next level by incorporating fruit. The sweet and tart flavors add exciting new dimensions while complementing the ham perfectly. With so many possible combinations, you could enjoy ham and fruit duos for months without repetition. Let your imagination run wild with fruits that will make your ham shine.
Bread and Raw ham: a marriage made in heaven
It’s easy to say ham and bread. Choosing the right kind of bread, on the other hand, isn’t always easy, and it can make or break a dish. First, the bread must taste good. Then, it must be able to exalt in full the taste and consistency of the slices.
Among the most classic types of bread, we have the michetta, baguette, and the simple francesino. Elaborated paninis are also perfect, like the ones with milk, soft and slightly sweet. Raw ham served with breadstick is a classic, deliciously crunchy.
The piadina is also an irresistible, ideal companion to the ham from Parma or Carpegna. It’s not enough, though. You can also offer salted croissants, sandwich bread (the good kind!), oil bread, tigelle, and other breads and similar foods.
Keep in mind that the Tuscan Ham and the Tuscan Bread are happily married. They are joined not only by soil, but also by taste, with the meat’s flavor being masked by the “silly” bread’s lack of salt.
Cheese and Raw ham: an amazing variety
We could say that any type of cheese, if it tastes good, goes perfectly with raw ham. There are two easy ways to find the perfect pair: you can go for affinity (sweet with sweet, tasty with tasty) or contrast (different from each other).
You can look into the products’ region of origin, and you can trust your instinct. Some pairings are paradigmatic: the classic raw ham and mozzarella or raw ham and Grana.
The gorgonzola cheese makes your mouth tingle, the Fontina cheese is round, the burrata cheese tastes delicate, the pecorino cheese is strong, and the fresh caprino cheese has a hint of acidity.
Again, you can’t leave out Montasio, provolone, scamorza, and Taleggio when it comes to cheeses that go well with raw ham on a platter. You only have Italian options? You can try cheeses from the other side of the Alps, like Emmenthaler and Brie.
Passion Fruit Honey Glazed Ham | recipe/ perfect for the holidays
FAQ
What fruit is good with ham?
What flavors go well with ham?
What fruits pair well with pork?
Which fruit goes well with ham?
Pineapple and ham are a classic combination that always complements each other. Pineapple goes well with ham, whether you put canned pineapple rings on top of the ham as it bakes or make a pineapple puree to serve on top. Cranberry is another fruit that pairs well with ham.
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
What to eat with ham?
Collard greens are a great pairing for ham, and this recipe adds cabbage to the mix for a unique variation of this side. Bacon, onion, and impactful seasonings make this a yummy way to get some greens in along with your protein. “I am not too big on veggies, but I crave this dish! Freshly steamed green beans are key.
How do you serve a ham with fruit?
Fruit is an excellent accompaniment to ham, and the flavors complement each other well. To serve, place ham in a shallow roasting pan (if desired, score ham by making diagonal cuts 1-inch apart in the fat in a diamond pattern).