Not so long ago, if you wanted a taste of Spain’s exalted Jamón Ibérico here in the land of the free and home of the brave, you had to smuggle it into the country yourself. Prior to 2007, the ultra high-end ham was not approved for export to the U.S.

Since then, the once forbidden delicacy, which is wrought from the pata negra — the black-hooved pigs that roam wild on Spain’s countryside — and can fetch as much $100 a pound at high-end specialty grocers, has become increasingly available here, albeit at a premium and in limited quantities.

For the next installment of Garces Trading Company’s ongoing Passport to Spain dinner series, Chef Jose Garces and his staff will serve a five course tasting menu highlighted with several different cuts of the prized porker from which the heavenly Jamón Ibérico is derived.

And $50 a head (plus $25 more for an optional wine pairing), it’s quite a bargain. The menu includes:

Hand Carved Jamón Ibérico

Ibérico Bacon and Wild Mushroom Salad with Smoked Marcona Almonds

Braised Ibérico Belly with Diver Scallops, Heirloom Carrots and Sauce Pastis

Roasted Ibérico Cheek with Celery & Apple Remoulade and Matsutake Mushrooms

Leche Frita (fried milk custard) for dessert

The special menu will be available throughout the evening in addition to Garces Trading Company’s everyday a la carte options. For reservations, call 215-575-1099.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Add to Calendar 2014-12-09 5 PM 2014-12-09 10 PM 15 Garces Trading Co.s Passport to Spain Dinner to Feature Jamon Iberico, Tues. Dec. 9 Garces Trading Company false YYYY-MM-DD
Event Date: 12/09
Event Time: 5 PM - 10 PM
Location: Garces Trading Company
Price: $50
Type: Dinner,Food,Wine