Gammon (meat) facts for kids
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Gammon is a special type of pork meat. It comes from the back leg of a pig. To make gammon, the meat is "cured." This means it's treated with salt, either by rubbing it on (dry-salting) or soaking it in salty water (brining). Sometimes, it's also smoked for extra flavor.
Gammon is a bit like bacon because it needs to be cooked before you can eat it. It's different from ham, which is usually ready to eat. In places like the United Kingdom and Ireland, people often use the word "gammon." In other countries, they might just call it "ham."
What is Gammon Hock?
Ham hock, also called gammon hock or knuckle, is the very end part of the pig's leg. This part has more tough bits like connective tissue and sinew. People often cook it slowly to make it tender and flavorful.
Gammon in the Kitchen
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, large pieces of cooked gammon are a popular meal, especially around Christmas. You can find gammon in most supermarkets. It comes as a whole piece or already sliced into steaks.
Gammon steaks can be cooked quickly. Many people pan-fry them, similar to how you would cook bacon. It's a tasty and easy meal to prepare.
Where Did the Word "Gammon" Come From?
The word "gammon" has a long history! It comes from an old English word, gambon, which meant "ham." This word appeared around the early 1400s.
Gambon came from an even older French word, gambon, which is related to the modern French word for ham, jambon. These words all came from the Old French word jambe, meaning "leg."
Even further back, the word can be traced to a Late Latin word, gamba. This word meant "leg" or "hock" of an animal. So, the word "gammon" has always been connected to the idea of a leg!
