Country Hams via Costco?

[DWB]

13lb. Johnston country style ham for $50 shipped. This seems cheap for this type of ham. Has anyone had experience with one of these? http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11480045&whse=BC&topnav=&cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-itempageVerticalRight-_-PopularProductsInCategory&cm_vc=itempageVerticalRight|PopularProductsInCategory

More info from supplier: http://www.countrycuredhams.com/uncoo...

[Zeldog]

I haven't tried that particular ham, but the description "prosciutto style" is suspect. First, prosciutto is not smoked and is aged a year or more, not 6 months. And from the photo it hasn't been pressed during curing, although I don't know if it makes a difference flavor wise. They claim it can be sliced thin and eaten as is, so maybe it is less salty than a typical American ham. Perhaps even good enough to eat off the bone. But don't expect it to taste like prosciutto, especially when aged only 6 months. On the same Costco page there's a link for Serrano ham, boneless, aged 18 months. I have tried that (I still have few pounds in the fridge), and it is excellent. It's $200 now, but I bought one on sale when it was just a bit over $100. If you want prosciutto style, wait until those go on sale again.

[MGZ]

I think the "prosciutto style" descriptor is merely a phrase employed by Costco to explain to it's typical customers (not exactly on the culinary cutting edge) that this ham need not be soaked, boiled, and baked like the country hams they may remember. There has been a movement among chefs, smokehouses, and some consumers to eat and enjoy American country hams thinly sliced and without further "cooking." See, e.g., http://www.cookingissues.com/2010/10/... If you look at the manufacturer's website, you will see they also produce prosciutto. Personally, I think that the Costco deal seems like a very good one. I might even get one, but that's a lot of meat for two people. You know that old country definition of eternity . . .

[DWB]

Thats really what I was wondering, if it does not require the soaking etc., is it truly a country style ham, as I think of it? I have never had one, because of expense and availability. But I remember a "Good Eats" episode about Ham Which went through the laborious process to prepare a C.S. ham for usage. Perhaps this ham does require that preparation, but they don't want to scare buyers off before purchase. I hope someone with much C.S. ham experience sees this and can comment definatively.

[MGZ]

It is a country ham as you think of it, but it should not require any additional preparation. In fact, most country hams shouldn't, but many producers do not elect to label their hams "ready to eat." Although I am not certain that I have had this company's product before, I have had country hams sliced and consumed without additional cooking and would do nothing more with this ham than eat it. There is significantly more information about this is the link I posted above and the citations therein.

If I do get one, I assure you I will post my experience.

[Zeldog]

Please do, MGZ. I don't have much experience with country hams, but last time I bought one from Smithfield it was fine for seasoning red beans and rice and such, but way to salty to slice and eat. Costco seems to have some nice deals on whole hams and maybe this is one. I'd probably try one myself, but I still have about 5 pounds of that Serrano left.

[rasputina]

I'd love to know your opinion too!