With December here, cities are bright with lights and the smell of fresh baking starts to fill the homes. It’s the time of year when we start thinking about how to make the festive season special, when we really feel the need to get together with family and friends and tuck into a beautifully prepared meal and our minds turn to dishes steeped in tradition and redolent with memories.
One of the highlights of this festive period is Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO, an Italian delicacy that adds a touch of sweetness and elegance to every dish. Slim slices of this Italian ham make the perfect accompaniment for aperitifs with friends, starting off family lunches and complementing all your special festive recipes. Its flavour is familiar yet refined, bringing to the table a sense of balance and authenticity that perfectly reflects these shared moments of celebration.
Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO is a special Christmas gift, embodying as it does time, care and tradition. Gifts aren’t just unwrapped – they’re shared, and our ham is certainly one of the most appreciated.
Whether on the table or under the Christmas tree, Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO symbolises a traditional Christmas filled with authentic flavours and memorable moments.
On the festive table, Prosciutto di San Daniele takes its place at the centre
In the days leading up to and following Christmas, aroma and anticipation fill the air. This is where Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO shows just how versatile it really is: the star of the charcuterie board, the perfect accompaniment to cheese and warm bread, and an ingredient that elevates recipes created especially for the occasion.
Every moment on the Christmas menu is perfect for a delicious slice of Prosciutto di San Daniele. It can be served as an appetiser, an elegant start to a meal in rolls or on small pieces of toast; as a first course together with seasonal vegetables or fresh homemade pasta; or even as a main course where more intense flavours are balanced by its sweetness.
Soft texture, elegant aroma and sweet notes make San Daniele unmistakable. It’s a flavour that appeals to everyone: sophisticated yet familiar, adding character without ever being overpowering.
Served with a dry white wine, a sparkling wine, or a light, low-tannin red (learn more about wine pairings here), Prosciutto di San Daniele brings the same natural elegance to any dish. It’s this versatility and ability to harmonise with a variety of flavours and occasions that has always made our ham a star of the festive table.
Natural by tradition, authentic by choice
The simplicity of Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO also makes it an essential part of the festive season. It is a genuine product made only from Italian pork legs, sea salt and the pure air of San Daniele del Friuli. As explained in this article, it contains no preservatives or additives; it’s the time and care invested in its production that make it one of the cornerstones of Italian gastronomic tradition and a product famous round the world.
Prosciutto di San Daniele’s balanced flavour and tender texture are the result of a slow production process that respects the seasons and natural rhythms. When it is served at festive meals, its authenticity becomes even more valuable, representing a commitment to quality, respect and tradition.
From a nutritional point of view, Prosciutto di San Daniele is also an excellent product. It is rich in lean proteins, B vitamins and essential minerals, and low in saturated fats. This balance makes it suitable for all ages and lifestyles – even when extra care is needed during times such as pregnancy.
Christmas celebration ideas and recipes with Prosciutto di San Daniele
During the festive season, Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO is an invaluable ingredient in the kitchen. Its unique qualities make it suitable for countless recipes, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, and the result is always the same: a flavour that enhances every dish.
For an aperitif or starter, just a few ingredients are needed to create something special, such as thinly sliced Prosciutto di San Daniele with fresh cheeses and seasonal fruit like pears or dried figs, or small rolls filled with goat’s cheese and honey. If you like to experiment, you could also try more unusual combinations, such as grilled vegetables or gourmet panettone crostini topped with a light ricotta mousse.
In first courses, Prosciutto di San Daniele adds elegance and character to a dish without ever overpowering the other flavours. It is perfect in tagliolini alla San Daniele, cut into strips; in pasta alla Papalina with cream and peas; or in red wine risotto with Parmesan fondue, where its savouriness balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
It can also take centre stage in main courses, from a refined Beef Wellington, accompanied by mushrooms, to perch rolls with courgettes, where the delicate fish aroma is enhanced by the savoury ham.
The recipe may vary, but the key elements remain the same: authentic ingredients, a few essential steps, and a passion for sharing. This is what makes Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO the perfect accompaniment to a leisurely Christmas, surrounded by authentic flavours and memorable moments.
Savour the perfect gift
As Christmas approaches, the desire to choose meaningful gifts grows stronger – gifts that combine taste, authenticity, and the joy of sharing something special. Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO is one such gift: it embodies the history of a local area and the dedication of those who have preserved its tradition for generations.
Giving Prosciutto di San Daniele as a gift means giving a piece of Italy, crafted with care and simplicity. Whether it’s vacuum-packed slices for the fridge, an elegant package for hosts, or a whole ham for lovers of hand-cutting, each option carries the same aroma, attention to detail and unmistakable taste.
It’s a gift that brings a smile to the face of the recipient and something that can be enjoyed together, both on festive days and in the days that follow. It’s a simple and sincere way to bring the taste of a long-standing tradition to the table – and to people.
Read the guide here to find out where to buy authentic Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO and how to recognise it – and enjoy a lovely walk in San Daniele del Friuli.
Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO at Christmas: the flavour of tradition that brings people together
As the holidays approach, every table is set with flavours that evoke anticipation and conviviality. Prosciutto di San Daniele PDO has always been part of this tradition. Thinly sliced, savoured slowly, accompanying conversation and toasts, and adding a touch of warmth and authenticity to every gathering.
It is a product that reflects the care invested over time and the simplicity of enduring traditions. Whether it’s the star appetiser, a recipe ingredient, or a gift chosen with love, Prosciutto di San Daniele always adds something special: the joy of sharing memorable moments.
And even when the holidays are over and life goes back to normal, that special taste lingers on. A quick mouthful, a slice, or a platter – that’s all it takes to recapture the atmosphere of those days, filled with warmth, familiarity and special moments.
