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[Italy] Pancetta

Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 16:14
by Dave Zac
My pancetta is finally finished. It has a very strong flavor with heavy pepper. It is too much for me to eat by itself as one would eat bacon. It cured for about 4 weeks before it had lost 25% of its original weight.

Anyone have ideas on uses with pancetta?

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Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:31
by Trosky
Your pancetta looks great! I have never tasted any before fact is yours is the first I've ever seen. Looks like it made with a pork side just like bacon so it has to be good.

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 17:46
by Dave Zac
Thanks Trosky. It is indeed pork side. An italian friend of mine was just telling me that he uses it in soups, chowders, bisque and sliced thin with good italian bread.

Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 03:49
by Chuckwagon
Nicely done Dave! Yum. It looks firm yet pliable - just the way it's supposed to be. You'll be amazed how quickly it dries out though. If it dries too quickly, try placing it in your refrigerator. I always have to freeze quite a bit when I make a batch. (I do an entire side at one time.) Freezing won't hurt it, in fact it makes it simple to slice very thin. My brother loves the stuff sliced paper thin, slightly cooked of course, then served with cantelope.
How much did you make? Five pounds perhaps? It surely looks like top quality stuff!
Uses? Goodness, use it for flavoring all kinds of foods. Even little strips in salads. Drippings make great smoky flavored foods of all types - try it in gravies too. Try it in clam chowder too. It's a little strong to eat just by itself, but ultra thin slices really spice up a sandwich. I like to wrap strips of pancetta around a good beefsteak just before it hits the bbq grill. It also flavors a good roast very nicely.
Hope all is well. How is that new grandchild? We had our first snow here yesterday up above Timpanogos. Here is is August and the low last night was 33 degrees F.
Keep up the good work.
Best wishes, Chuckwagon

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 02:27
by franknap
I know this is an old post but heres one of my favorite recipes for pancetta.
1/2 cup chopped pancetta
add extra virgin olive oil to a pan about 5 tablespoons
add pancetta, when it begins to get a little bit brown its done
add 1 1/2 cup green peas
add 3 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon black pepper (or less)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes ...dont add any if you do not like a little zing
heat on low for about 30 minutes
Put this on top of pasta and serve
Hope you get this post and try it out!
Thanks
Frank

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 03:36
by Chuckwagon
Hi Frank,
Hey, I just gave it a try in the kitchen and wow, this makes dinner! That is a terrific recipe. Thanks for sharing. This one is a "keeper" for sure. Just wait until DaveZak sees it!

Best wishes,
Chuckwagon

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 04:08
by franknap
Oh wow already?! Well thats good to hear! Enjoy!

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 19:06
by Maxell

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 01:36
by Dave Zac
Chuckwagon wrote:Hi Frank,
Hey, I just gave it a try in the kitchen and wow, this makes dinner! That is a terrific recipe. Thanks for sharing. This one is a "keeper" for sure. Just wait until DaveZak sees it!

Best wishes,
Chuckwagon
Peas? Sounds odd but odd is me. :lol: If I didn't have supper already I would give it a try. I will definitely try this recipe this week.

I went fishing with a friend once and I asked him if he stopped to get the bait. Yep, sure did he said, and he pulled out a can of peas. Peas? What are we gonna do with them I asked him. He tells me to just sprinkle a few on top of the water...when the fish comes up to take a pee, hit em over the head :roll:

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 03:58
by Chuckwagon
Hey Dave,
You've GOT to give this recipe a try. It's great. Oh, yes... by the way, I believe anyone who would eat :evil: canned peas (grrr) rather than frozen or fresh peas in any recipe, should have his scalp check by a physician for evidence he may have fallen off his horse just one too many times!
And shucks, I believe that anyone who uses canned peas :mad: in a fine recipe such as this, should be hung by the neck out back in the apricot tree a few days before being run out of town on an ugly horse! :lol:

Whew! Best Wishes,
Chuckwagon