IL PROSCIUTTO PENITENTE

‘Penitente’ Ham

A Sweet, seasoned ham called ‘Il Penitente’ is another delicacy.

According to documents from 1797, the least good hams, particularly those which hadn’t salted well (and salt is the main characteristic of the Tuscan ham), were not sold but put to do penance, penitenza and put

to season in the metati, the huts where chestnuts were dried.

In this way the hams kept their sweet taste and at the same time took on all the flavours of the woodland fruit. Exclusively the peasants themselves used them.