History of Curing Meat
Introduction to Cured Meat
In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of cured meat and its historical significance.
The Process of Curing Meat
- Curing is a natural process used by humans to preserve meat.
- It involves salting the meat and hanging it to dry for an extended period.
- This process results in delicious cured meats like prosciutto.
The Role of Cato the Elder in Cured Meat History
This section discusses the influence of Cato the Elder on the history of cured meat.
Cato the Elder: A Military Leader and Political Figure
- Cato the Elder lived in the mid 3rd century BC.
- He was known for his military leadership and political power.
- Besides his other accomplishments, he also wrote about farming practices.
Recipe from Cato's Ancestors
- In his writings, Cato shared a recipe for curing pork legs.
- The recipe involved salting and storing the hams for a specific duration.
- Afterward, they were cleaned off and hung in fresh air before being smoked.
Steps for Making Prosciutto According to Cato's Recipe
This section provides detailed steps for making prosciutto based on Cato's recipe.
Step-by-step Instructions
- Buy legs of pork and cut off the feet.
- Spread Roman salt in a VAT or jar as a base.
- Place a ham with skin facing downwards on top of the salt.
- Cover completely with salt and let it stand for 5 days.
- After 5 days, rearrange and replace hams that were above below each other.
- Repeat this process for a total of 12 days.
- Take out the hams, clean off the salt, and hang them in fresh air for 2 days.
- On the third day, rub the hams with oil and hang them in smoke for 2 more days.
- Finally, rub the hams with a mixture of oil and vinegar before storing.
Cato the Younger's Legacy
This section highlights Cato the Younger's significance in history.
Cato the Younger: Opponent of Caesar
- Cato the Younger was a successor to Cato the Elder.
- He is famous for his opposition to Caesar's reign.
- His culinary prowess is not as renowned as his political stance.
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