PROSCIUTTIFICIO PROLONGO

Chances are that it is the reputation of its exceptional cured ham that has led you to venture to San Daniele del Friuli. Located at the entrance to the town, the Prosciuttificio Prolongo has been making San Daniele DOP hams in an artisanal manner since 1957. It was founded by Giovanni Prolongo and his grandchildren, Arianna and Alessio, have taken over the business and continue to carry on the tradition. The ham is handmade and naturally cured without the use of air conditioning. Quality takes precedence over quantity: between 6,000 and 6,500 hams leave the workshop each year. By comparison, an industrial prosciuttificio can produce up to 300,000 hams. During the guided tour, Arianna reveals the different stages of the production of the precious ham and takes you into the maturing room. Designed by her grandfather, the room has windows with shutters that alternate between open and closed to take advantage of the natural breeze that helps the maturing process. The powerful and bewitching smell of the hams carefully aligned will soon whet your appetite! Fortunately, the visit concludes with a tasting accompanied by local wine and homemade grissini . Two types of tasting are offered: Classico (about 30 g of ham) at 12 €/person and Sensoriale (tasting the three parts of the ham to compare flavors and textures) at 25 €/person. At the store, it is possible to buy vacuum-packed ham (practical for transportation).