Tasso ham facts for kids
Tasso ham is a special kind of smoked, spiced, and cured meat. It's a famous food from southern Louisiana. Even though it's called "ham," it's not made from the pig's back leg. Instead, it comes from the pig's shoulder, also known as the Boston butt. This part of the pig is often fatty and has a lot of flavor because the animal uses these muscles a lot.
To make tasso, the pig's shoulder, which usually weighs about 7 to 8 pounds (around 3 to 3.5 kg), is sliced into thick pieces. These pieces are about 3 inches (7.5 cm) thick. The meat is then covered in a salt mixture, which helps preserve it. This mixture often includes special salts called nitrites and sugar.
The meat cures for only a short time, usually just three or four hours. After curing, it's rinsed clean. Then, it's rubbed with a spicy mix that includes cayenne pepper and garlic. Finally, the tasso is hot-smoked until it's fully cooked. This smoking process gives it a deep, smoky flavor.
Tasso can be eaten on its own, but it's usually used to add flavor to other dishes. It's a key ingredient in many stews and braised vegetables. You can find it in all sorts of recipes, from pasta to crab cakes, soups, and gravies. Because of its history, tasso is most often used in Cajun recipes, like the famous dish called jambalaya.
See also
In Spanish: Tasso ham para niños
