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Soppressata salami isn’t as spread out as some other Italian delicacies around the world. But that’s mostly because certain dishes from Italy are among the world’s all-time favorites. Competing with pizza and pasta isn’t that simple.
Still, even the people who have heard about this delicious treat mostly haven’t had the opportunity to try it.
We’re here to shed some light on soppressata meat and give you a better idea about what it is and how to consume it.
Keep reading if you’re interested to learn more about Italian cuisine and one of its tastiest hidden gems.
Or, to try the best food from this part of the world in the States, visit Mi’talia Kitchen & Bar in Miami.
Naturally, your first question when reading this is, “what is soppressata?” – if it’s so delicious. Well, we’re talking about a specific type of Italian salami.
This specialty comes from the Italian region of Calabria but has many variants across the country. The flavorful soppressata meat is beloved all over the world, and even though recipes vary quite a bit, there is a base that’s usually followed.
Cuts of pork shoulder and leaner cuts of ham are what usually goes into soppressata salami, along with some spices. That part depends on where the recipe originates.
Dried chili pepper is what they use in the south. However, in the north, they are prone to using more spices. Some recipes include garlic, clove, black peppercorn, and occasionally cinnamon.
This meat and spice mixture has a unique flavor that makes it attractive and mouth-watering to all consumers. Even spicy soppressata is a bit sweet, so it’s hard to say no to one more slice.
We have to look back to the recipe in order to explain what soppressata is and how it’s made. This dried and fermented sausage is a mix of heavily seasoned fat and lean cuts of pork. The recipe includes salt, chili peppers, black peppercorns, red wine, and often other spices.
Yes, red wine is one of the ingredients in spicy soppressata. It gives this salami a specific flavor and more depth. Other ingredients also have their reasons to be included.
Chilis and peppercorns add hotness to the recipe. Don’t be afraid of them, though. Soppressata meat isn’t too spicy and won’t burn your mouth. Instead, you’ll feel a soft kick of hotness and a unique dark purple color you’re not used to with other deli meats in the US.
As we mentioned, the full flavor varies based on where the recipe comes from, so don’t be afraid to try different types and figure out which is most up to your liking.
Once the meat and spice mixture is created, it is stuffed into casings and pressed between weights for a few days. That’s where the unusual shape of soppressata salami appears. Finally, the salami is left to dry and cure for a longer amount of time. Usually, it takes somewhere between two and six months for the process to finish.
Traditionally, soppressata is stored in jars filled with olive oil. Luckily, nowadays, you don’t have to go through that. Leaving the salami in the fridge will be good enough.
Wrapping the leftover piece in parchment paper is the best option since it will stop it from drying out. That way, you’ll keep the meat fresh for an extended period. However, it’s not likely that you’ll manage not to eat the salami before it’s dried out, anyway.
All the info about this meat doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to enjoy it. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to consuming soppressata.
It’s amazing on pizza, with bread, sandwiches, pasta, and many other options. We’ve prepared some of our favorite ways to eat soppressata, and if you wish to see what they are, check out the list below.
We’ve shared how to make each one, and the only thing you need to do is pick your favorite option and go find yourself some tasty Italian meat.
Naturally, eating soppressata with different types of bread is among the most popular ways to consume this spicy meat. No matter how lazy you are, making a sandwich is a simple task, and when it tastes so good, you won’t have trouble going to the kitchen.
If you don’t have time to prepare anything more complicated, but have a piece of this salami in the fridge – bread and a few toppings will be enough to make something you’ll thoroughly enjoy.
Simply take two slices of bread, toast them, add some shredded cheese, and a few thin slices of soppressata, and you’ll have an Italian miracle in your hands.
Of course, you can add greens, pickles, ketchup, or some other toppings to take the sandwich to a different level, but that’s on you. A dipping sauce would also be a valuable addition to the mix.
Switching toast with bagels is a perfect way to use soppressata for breakfast and enjoy it with a cup of coffee.
If you love pizza, you won’t have any issues finding a spot for soppressata in your diet. This type of smoked meat is perfect as a pizza topping, and here’s how to combine the two Italian delicacies.
Step 1
Start by preheating the oven to 500 degrees F.
Step 2
Layer a pan with parchment paper, then set your pizza dough in a pan and layer it with tomato sauce. Choose the amount of sauce based on your preferences.
Step 3
It’s time to add the cheese. Layer the pizza with both parmesan and mozzarella.
Step 4
Put the cherry pepper on top. And, of course, add the soppressata slices. If you’ve prepared some other toppings, this is the time to add them as well.
Step 5
Drizzle high-quality Italian olive oil on top of the pizza.
Step 6
Leave the pizza in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the cheese melts and the crust turns golden brown, you’ll know your dish is ready.
Step 7
Take the pizza out of the oven, and garnish it with chili flakes and oregano.
Step 8
Cut the pizza into slices and enjoy your creation.
If you wish to try the best Italian food Florida has to offer, make your way to Mi’talia Kitchen & Bar. This place will serve you all the best dishes from that part of Europe and leave you amazed by the quality of the ingredients.
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