prosciutto
Dry-cured ham
Prosciutto is Italian dry-cured ham, typically sliced paper-thin and served uncooked.
The most prized varieties come from specific regions: prosciutto di Parma, prosciutto di San Daniele.
It appears on charcuterie boards, wrapped around melon or asparagus, or layered in sandwiches.
The curing process takes months or years, producing a delicate, salty flavor.
Cured, seasoned sausage
- pancettaItalian salt-cured belly
- speckMinute visible particle
- coppaCured pork shoulder meat
- capicolaDry-cured pork shoulder
guanciale · soppressata · mortadella · lardo · chorizo · serrano · pastrami · board
Preserved with salt, no brine
- agedAdvanced in years
- saltedTreated with sodium chloride
- preservedKept from deterioration
- marbledStreaked with irregular patterns
artisanal · charcuterie · pork · leg · fat · slicing · brining · shelf-stable
Sweet-fleshed gourd fruit
- cantaloupeOrange-fleshed melon variety
- figsSmall sweet tree fruit
- mozzarellaMild Italian cheese
- burrataCream-filled mozzarella pouch
asparagus · breadsticks · crusty bread · olive oil · pear · peach · honeydew · goat cheese
Italian appetizer course
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- paniniGrilled Italian sandwich
- focacciaOiled Italian flatbread with herbs
- arugulaPeppery Mediterranean salad green
mozzarella · pecorino · ricotta · gorgonzola · balsamic · carbonara · pasta · risotto
salami
Cured, seasoned sausage
capicola · guanciale · soppressata · mortadella · lardo · chorizo · serrano · pastrami · board · cured meats
dry-cured
Preserved with salt, no brine
marbled · artisanal · charcuterie · pork · leg · fat · slicing · brining · shelf-stable · refrigeration
melon
Sweet-fleshed gourd fruit
- cantaloupeOrange-fleshed melon variety
- figsSmall sweet tree fruit
- mozzarellaMild Italian cheese
burrata · asparagus · breadsticks · crusty bread · olive oil · pear · peach · honeydew · goat cheese · dates
antipasto
Italian appetizer course
- bruschettaGrilled bread with toppings
- paniniGrilled Italian sandwich
- focacciaOiled Italian flatbread with herbs
arugula · mozzarella · pecorino · ricotta · gorgonzola · balsamic · carbonara · pasta · risotto · Chianti
delicacy
Refined sensitivity or rarity
- gourmetConnoisseur of fine cuisine
- epicureanConnoisseur of sensual pleasures
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
indulgence · savory · umami · flavorful · refined · exquisite · culinary · palate · sophisticated · delectable
- ham dishesham sandwich, ham steak, glazed ham, honey ham, baked ham
- Emilia-RomagnaBologna, Ravenna, Rimini, Modena, Ferrara
- italian appetizersbruschetta, caprese, antipasto, carpaccio, arancini
- Italian foodpasta, spaghetti, risotto, gnocchi, ravioli
- meatbeef, pork, chicken, steak, bacon
- ItalyRome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples