Jamón
While I haven’t been able to find a decent burger since arriving in Spain, (I have found a passable burger in a BBQ joint owned by a texan but I don’t find myself craving it…) I have found a very suitable substitute, that will become an expensive itch once we return to the states…..
It was very apparent from the start that the people of Spain take their pork quite seriously and are very proud of their Jamón Ibérico. You will be hard pressed to find a Spanish bar/restaurant (and certainly more than a few spanish homes) without several legs of this wonderful product hanging from hooks along the walls and ceilings.
Just how valuable and important is this Jamón you ask? Well the “Good stuff” goes for over 100 euro per kilo, needless to say I will not be buying a whole leg anytime soon!
Now just a few weeks ago I discovered that there is a Museo del Jamón just 4 blocks down from our apartment. Which as you can see from the gallery attached below is about as close to heaven on earth as I am going to get….
As you might imagine, in those few weeks I am already a regular and, on those days when I work from home, there is no question as to where I will be for lunch. As of this week I only have to specify uno or dos when I approach the counter as they all know the fat american wants a Bocadillo de jamón ibérico con queso fundido y tomate para llevar. (Cured ham with cheese and tomato to go).
That phrase has now become the newest member of my most important Spanish phrases, joining:
¡Una mas Cerveza por favor! [One more beer please]
¿Donde está es el baño? [Where is the bathroom]
¿Donde está la zapateria? [Where is the shoe store; helps for when you are in dutch with the wife]
Anyway just posting these pictures is making me hungry…I suggest you come visit and taste cured meats at Museo del Jamón for yourself.
We’ll be there June 19th, looking to try a Jamon for ourselves
Two more fat Americans!!