jamón

ham

noun hah-MOHN Rare

Origin: From French jambon, ultimately from Latin gamba (leg).

Usage Note

Jamón is central to Spanish gastronomy. Jamón serrano is cured mountain ham, while jamón ibérico (or pata negra) comes from acorn-fed black Iberian pigs and is considered a delicacy. The two should not be confused; ibérico commands a much higher price. Jamón de York (loanword) refers to cooked, boiled ham of the kind common in sandwiches.

Examples

"El jamón ibérico es una joya de la gastronomía española."

Natural Translation

Iberian ham is a jewel of Spanish gastronomy.

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