Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Prosciutto

Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham, usually served thinly sliced.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Prosciutto is a dry-cured ham from Italy, typically served in thin slices. In Italian, the word generically means "ham," while in English it most often refers to prosciutto crudo, the uncooked, cured variety. The product is made from a pork leg preserved through salting and air-drying, resulting in a delicate, salty flavour. Prosciutto is widely available in Canadian supermarkets and restaurants, where it is commonly used in Italian dishes and charcuterie boards.

Definition and terminology

Prosciutto is the Italian term for ham, but in English it usually refers to dry-cured, uncooked ham served in thin slices. The distinction between prosciutto crudo and prosciutto cotto is standard in Italian usage.

Production

Prosciutto is made by salting pork legs and allowing them to dry-age for an extended period. Sources describe the process as relying on salt, air, and time, with curing lasting from months to years depending on the style and region.

Serving and culinary use

Prosciutto is typically served paper-thin and is used in antipasto plates, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and other Italian dishes. Its flavour is described as salty, delicate, and intensely savoury. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a topping on a Burger, a Taco, or a Bánh Mì, or served alongside Sushi and Pho.

Regional varieties

Italy produces several regional prosciutti, with Prosciutto di Parma among the most widely known. Some sources note that authentic regional products are identified by their place of origin.

Etymology and history

Reference works trace the word to Latin roots meaning "dried out" or "lacking juice." Sources also describe prosciutto crudo as a traditional food with origins extending back to pre-Roman or ancient Italian practice.

Key facts

Prosciutto is a dry-cured, salted Italian ham usually sliced thin.
In Italian, prosciutto is the general word for ham, while English often uses it to mean prosciutto crudo.
It is traditionally made from a pig’s hind leg, salt, air, and time.
Prosciutto crudo is uncooked but preserved through curing; prosciutto cotto is cooked.
Regional varieties include Prosciutto di Parma, one of the best-known forms.

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Canadian context

Prosciutto is widely sold in Canadian supermarkets, delis, and restaurants, and appears on menus as an Italian charcuterie item. Canadian readers may also encounter Canadian-made cured hams marketed in the prosciutto style, though the term originates from Italy.

Frequently asked questions

What is prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a dry-cured Italian ham, usually served in very thin slices.

Is prosciutto cooked?

Prosciutto crudo is not cooked; it is preserved by salting and drying. Prosciutto cotto is the cooked variety.

What meat is prosciutto made from?

It is usually made from pork, specifically the hind leg of a pig.

How is prosciutto usually served?

It is typically served thinly sliced, often on antipasto plates, in sandwiches, or as a topping.

What does prosciutto mean in Italian?

In Italian, prosciutto is the general word for ham, not only the dry-cured kind.

What is Prosciutto di Parma?

Prosciutto di Parma is a famous regional variety of prosciutto produced in Parma, Italy.

References

Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosciutto
Supports: Definition as dry-cured salted Italian ham usually sliced thin.
Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/prosciutto
Supports: Meaning, thin slicing, pork origin, and use in dishes.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosciutto
Supports: Italian meaning of prosciutto, distinction between crudo and cotto, and pork hind leg origin.
Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/prosciutto
Supports: Italian dried ham served in very thin slices.
Eataly — https://www.eataly.com/us_en/magazine/culture-and-tradition/what-is-prosciutto
Supports: Curing process, pork legs, seasoning, drying, flavour, and varieties.
Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/prosciutto-ham
Supports: Dry-cured Italian origin, generic Italian meaning of ham, ingredients, and curing time.
BBC Good Food — https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/prosciutto-glossary
Supports: Italian use, crudo/cotto distinction, and Prosciutto di Parma example.
Treccani — https://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/prosciutto/
Supports: Italian dictionary definition, preparation, and thin slicing.