Directions

Followed recipe from the book of Jeffrey Weiss “Charcuteria The Soul of Spain”, with some modifications. Couple of changes to the recipe: I left all back fat and skin and used dark Muscovado sugar, plus product was lightly smoked. I’ve started from 12 lb. loin from local supermarket (cross Berkshire and Chester White). Used basic salazon (2.5%, sugar/see salt 1:3) and cure #2 0.25%. Curing was done in vacuum bag in refrigerator for 10 weeks (not intentionally – did not have time to work on it). Washed with water sorely, dried in refrigerator for 12 hours, rubbed with adobo: lard cooked with garlic and sweet and hot paprika (one to one ratio) from Spain, dressed in very large beef bung (from Evan M. Brady online store), cold smoked over birch wood (48 F, overnight) and hanged in curing chamber 48-55 F and 80 RH for three month. Weight loss was 28%.

What can I say about the taste? It is very tasty: mild, porky, picant in some way. Be aware: this product is so rich in taste and flavor that it can become addictive.