Saint-Oyen Charcoal-Grilled Ham is a high-quality charcoal-grilled cooked ham (with a moisture content of less than 76.5%), recognized as a Traditional Agri-Food Product (PAT) of the Aosta Valley. It is the only cooked ham produced within the Aosta Valley region.
The production process uses fresh, boneless legs of Italian heavy-breed pork, trimmed by hand. The meat is seasoned with salt, alpine herbs, organic honey from the Aosta Valley, and Génépy liqueur, then tied by hand with twine. It undergoes slow steam cooking for 24 hours, followed by roasting over hot coals in a wood-fired oven fueled by wood from the Aosta Valley forests. As it rotates over the glowing coals, the ham is constantly basted with craft beer produced in Étroubles by Les Bières du Grand-Saint-Bernard.
The ham is produced by Prosciuttificio 2473 in Saint-Oyen, whose name refers to the elevation of the Great St. Bernard Pass. It is eaten thinly sliced as an appetizer or served in thick, warm slices with polenta or mountain potatoes. The Grilled Ham Festival is organized by the Pro Loco of Saint-Oyen every year on the first weekend of August in the Flassin park, featuring wood-fired ovens and food stands.
To learn more, visit the Saint-Oyen Grilled Ham page and the La Vallée des Jambons section.
