Pata Negra ... am I ruined forever?
I didnt go into epiliptic shock - but I was perhaps near that state. Mon dieu, it was like tasting ham for the first time - no scratch that - I give thanks to God for giving me the ability to taste such beauty . The pure essence of smoke, sweetness, earthiness; the silky melting on your tongue. The warming flood of joy upon first taste made me so happy to be alive!
Gracias muy amable Espana!
By kare_raisu
on Jan 15, 2008 08:47 PM
View »
Video
Never heard of it till now (spanish ham with higher fat content according to wikipedia). Where did you find it? You can answer when you calm down.
Permalink | Reply
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/me...
Permalink | Reply
Awesome, kare_raisu! :o) Pata Negra is a beautiful thing! I felt the same way about Spanish morcilla! I'm with Leucadian - where to find this warming flood of joy? :)
Permalink | Reply
I agree plain old Serrano & Prociutto loses some of its appeal after Pata Negra (and I don't think I have even had one prepared in Spain yet).
Permalink | Reply
They served this next to the two bellotas they were carving fresh. They tasted of 'cotton' in comparison.Though one of the serrano I had were leaning to this 'flood of "chicharrones"
Permalink | Reply
Here is a recent thread on the same topic:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/475259
And yes, unfortunately, you are ruined forever... but it's a good ruin.
Permalink | Reply
Yes, unfortunately you are. You may now join the others of us who save their hard earned pennies just to be able to go to Spain once a year and bathe in the jamon!
Permalink | Reply
So this is what you were talking about tasting at the Fancy Food Show - I'm sorry I missed it! Sounds like yet another reason to plan a trip to Spain...
Permalink | Reply
You need to try this Alice! Hopefully we'll get a source within the year in SD. Maybe we can make an event around it - some good Spanish riojas and tapas!
Permalink | Reply
There are three "La Europea" locations in the Cabo area... I know its not a drive over... but the California to Cabo tourist route is well traveled and we all know someone who will make the trip this year. Anyways... if you can afford it... La Europea has Spanish Pata Negra for about $450 for a 7 kilo bone in leg.
Permalink | Reply
Is this where you have had it EN? Any other unique foodstuffs available at these stores that we cannot get state side?
Permalink | Reply
Well... I don't shell that amount of money for a hunk of ham! There is a number of tapas places in Mexico City that carry it and I have had it there... but my first experience was in Xalapa (Veracruz) with a locally made aged ham made from the Pata Negra lineage... and I thought it was fabulous.
Permalink | Reply
Also... yes La Europea carries some interesting stuff... Anguillas (Baby Eeels from Bay of Biscayne), as well as a Norwegian salt cod that is suppossed to be the best (I believe its Langa or something of that nature)... and in general they have lots of Spanish cheeses & wines that never make it over here.
Permalink | Reply
Yup, you are totally ruined for life! Welcome to the club. Was it from Jabugo? If it wasn't, you may still have something to look forward to. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam%C3%B...
)My wish for all of us: may we not have long to wait before our next/first blessed taste of jamon jabugo!
Permalink | Reply