Dear neighbors, some time ago I finally finished a whole Serrano ham I impulsively bought, leaving only a bare big bone. Looking at it, I felt that simply throwing it in the trash would be a waste, as this is the essence of the ham! I wonder how everyone else deals with leftover ham bones?
After some research and consulting my Spanish landlord, I finally unlocked the correct way to use ham bones! The most classic and authentic method is to—make broth! This is not ordinary bone broth; ham bones carry a rich salty flavor and unique aroma. The broth made from them has a deep, savory taste and is incredibly delicious, forming the soul of many Spanish dishes.
Making the broth is simple, but I want to share a few tips. The key step is “blanching”: you must first cut the bone into large pieces, then boil them in cold water quickly to remove excess salt and impurities. Many overlook this step, causing the broth to become overly salty.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| Direct simmering | Easy, simple to operate | Broth too salty, broth color may become cloudy as shown in Removing Spanish Ham Bones |
| Blanching then simmering | Broth flavor well-balanced, clear color | Slightly more steps |
After blanching, add fresh water, a few slices of carrot, celery, and onion, then simmer on low heat for at least 2-3 hours. A pot of liquid gold is born! This broth is excellent for noodles, cooking dishes, or making risotto.
Advanced Use: Enhancing Stews
Besides making standalone broth, ham bones are flavor-boosting magic in various Spanish stews. For example, when making traditional Spanish chickpea stew or lentil soup, just throw in one or two pieces of ham bone while simmering; the whole dish’s flavor immediately elevates. The tiny remaining meat and tendons on the bone become deliciously tender after slow cooking.
Ham bones are definitely a treasure in the kitchen. Next time you finish ham, please don’t throw it away make sure to keep it and give these methods a try! Feel free to share your own secret family recipes below and see how heavy Spanish ham bones are and if there are even more creative ways to enjoy them!
