Paletta Biellese

Paletta Biellese is a traditional pork shoulder ham hailing from the province of Biella. It is made with a specific cut obtained from the section near the shoulder blade. Also known as scapula, the shoulder blade is a spade-shaped bone which gives the muscle in this section its distinctive shape, hence the name paletta, which means spade or small shovel in Italian.

The meat is typically brined for about a month, and it is then enhanced with a blend of herbs, spices, and black pepper before it's stuffed into a pork or veal bladder and hung to dry. After maturing for about 20 days, the cured pork shoulder is usually cooked before it is enjoyed sliced with accompaniments such as boiled potatoes, polenta, and a glass of well-structured red wine or dark beer.

The meat can alternatively be matured for up to four months, after which it can be consumed raw, usually paired with apple mustard.