Mojama - Gastro Obscura
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Mojama

Spain's salt-cured tuna is known as “the ham of the sea.”

Mojama is available in small packs, presliced, in Spanish supermarkets.
Steven Jackson/CC BY 2.0

In Southern Spain, tuna sometimes undergoes a curing and drying process similar to ibérico ham. The result is mojama, a popular tapa with salty, savory flavors that have earned it the nickname “the ham of the sea.”

Although the tuna gets packed in salt for two days, then sun-dried for 20 more, it maintains a fishy flavor. With a lingering saltiness, a firm texture, and hints of umami, the thinly sliced strips make an ideal tapa to be enjoyed in Madrid at lunchtime with a small beer. They’re commonly served on tiny pieces of bread with olive oil.

Chefs often pair mojama with chopped tomatoes or, particularly in Valencia, with almonds. Sometimes they might grate the dried, reddish fish over other dishes, such as pasta, salads, or scrambled eggs. Since mojama has an intense flavor, many fans recommend pairing it with simpler meals.

It is quite expensive to buy a complete block of dried mojama; it’s more affordable to order it as a tapa in a bar or to buy a small pack, presliced, from the supermarket.

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