Can someone please tell me can you freeze parma ham (sliced variety) and also pancetta. Infact I have received a hamper with lovely cheeses, port and ham in and I am not of great knowledge when it comes to ham. So is parma ham the one thats very thinly sliced and dry cured? I assume that pancetta is the one that looks like bacon lol

Sorry for the ignorance

Victoria

Hi Victoria, yes you can freeze Pancetta (Italian for bacon) as for crudo (Parma ham) I don't know, I'll ask my In-laws as they're Italian. Back soon!

Well Victoria,
I'd advise not to, as I tried once out of pure curiosity, and in my opinion, the texture (and possibly the flavour) was impaired - but yes, technically it can be!
Parma Ham aka Prosciutto crudo is air dried cured ham - hence it being referred to by Italians as 'crudo' (raw) because it hasn't been cooked / boiled. (Ham, as known here in England, is Prociutto cotto (cooked) - stunning, huh?? )...Anyway ... because it is air dried, as long as it is kept wrapped in greasproof or foil (not cling film) and in the fridge, it has a really long shelf life! Not that it survives very long, once sliced, in our family!!!

Thanks Guys

It does not even need to be in the fridge. A cool place left hanging will go all winter. Thats why it was originally made.

Do you know they dont eat parsnips in Italy? Something to do with the fact they feed the pigs to make palma ham with. "Parsnips fit for a pig!" Off to England on the morrow to buy some for Christmas dinner in Italy...

Martino - Parsnips (credo) have been 'spotted' in the Veneto area, being sold at a road side. Interesting fact aobut the pigs eating them.

naw! Easier to get to England!!!

Yes of course, because I am sure you eat a lot of parsnips Martino, but I also thought it was something to do with making pigs sweet. My mistake again I suppose.

I have just been given a whole parma ham. It has been vacuum packed. Martimo & Larissima have said it will have a long shelf once opened and kept chilled. Anyone have any idea how long it will last ?