what is tasso

Tasso ham is a smoked, spiced, and cured meat that is a specialty of south Louisiana cuisine. It is made from the shoulder of a hog, which is typically fatty, and is cured briefly for three or four hours, then rinsed, rubbed with a spice mixture containing cayenne pepper and garlic, and hot-smoked until cooked through. Unlike ham, tasso is not typically eaten on its own, but is used as part of a flavor base for stews or braised vegetables, and is used in dishes ranging from pasta to crab cakes to soup and gravy. Tasso ham is spicy, salty, and smoky in taste, and its texture is firm, which helps it hold up in simmered or braised dishes. It is a great seasoning addition to dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, Cajun Corn Soup, or braised collard greens.