Tasso Ham

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1/4 cup smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup oregano
• 1/4 cup cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup smoked hickory or mesquite chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, salt, black pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
3. Add the pork cubes to the bowl and toss to coat with the spice mixture.
4. Spread the pork cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes, flipping the cubes half-way through cooking.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the pork cubes in a smoking chamber. Add the hickory or mesquite chips to the smoking chamber.
7. Smoke the pork cubes for 15 minutes. Remove the pork cubes from the smoking chamber and let cool.
8. Serve the tasso ham as an appetizer or as a main course.

Interesting Facts

• Tasso ham is a popular dish in the American South, especially in Louisiana.
• The name tasso is derived from the French phrase tasselé, which means "spicy" or "hot".
• The spices used to make tasso ham have antibacterial properties, which help to preserve the meat.
• The smoky flavor of tasso ham comes from the smoking process, which helps to tenderize the pork.