This Culatello was started at the same time as the Fiocco I just cut into. I learned a lot doing this piece; and even more along the way. I now know that initially, I was drying the piece too fast, and a constant temp. is not the best way to dry a Culatello. I did inadvertantly subject the Culatello to a summer fermentation when I pulled the piece to hang in a closet @60-67*F for a week or two when I needed more space in my drying chamber. Dumb luck I guess...though the piece was micro-biologically stable having lost 38% by that point.
Pulled from the chamber...43.52% weight loss. Initial weight was 5,000g.; final weight loss after 22 months drying was 2837g. (again some blue green mold likely late stage P. Nalgiovense or P. Salamii mold)
cording removed, brushed clean with white wine, and trimmed...
placed on a tri-folded small kitchen hand towel, then covered with a another medium kitchen dish towel and completely soaked with white wine. Left to soak for 2 days.
The big reveal is tomorrow night! Got another day to soak but the smell is incredible! I hope it dried OK with me being new to this and all. This one did sit in a refrigerator when the power when off from hurricane Ida. No idea how that affected the piece. I also applied the sugna layer too thick...don't know how that will affect it either but lesson learned. Won't know until I slice it tomorrow and have a look see. Fingers crossed.......
Pulled from the chamber...43.52% weight loss. Initial weight was 5,000g.; final weight loss after 22 months drying was 2837g. (again some blue green mold likely late stage P. Nalgiovense or P. Salamii mold)
cording removed, brushed clean with white wine, and trimmed...
placed on a tri-folded small kitchen hand towel, then covered with a another medium kitchen dish towel and completely soaked with white wine. Left to soak for 2 days.
The big reveal is tomorrow night! Got another day to soak but the smell is incredible! I hope it dried OK with me being new to this and all. This one did sit in a refrigerator when the power when off from hurricane Ida. No idea how that affected the piece. I also applied the sugna layer too thick...don't know how that will affect it either but lesson learned. Won't know until I slice it tomorrow and have a look see. Fingers crossed.......
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