The ham that isn't

• Technically, as HamMakingTips.com points out, Tasso "ham" comes from the pork shoulder butt -- or sometimes even beef -- instead of the traditional pork leg.

Origins

• Tasso ham, while not well known to mainstream cooks, finds great favor in its native Cajun culture.

Use in recipes

• Tasso ham, unlike "real" ham, does not constitute a main dish. HamMakingTips.com explains that this spicy meat usually finds its way into egg, pasta or bean dishes as a seasoning.

Traditional preparation

• To make a traditional Tasso ham, cut the meat into slices, cure it in salt for several hours, then rub it with a mix of garlic, sugar, cayenne pepper and other spices to taste.

Quick preparation

• HamMakingTips.com notes that, for quicker results, you can skip the curing phase by using a traditional ham or ham steaks.