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Crowd enjoying mortadella dishes at a festival in Bologna

How Mortadella Became Italy’s Favorite Culinary Treasure


  • Author: CHEF KAMALA
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 1 large mortadella sausage 1x

Description

Explore mortadella, Italy’s iconic cold cut, known for its smooth texture, rich flavor, and versatility in sandwiches and antipasti.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 kg Pork Shoulder: Main meat base.
  • 200 g Pork Fat: Diced into small cubes.
  • 150 g Crushed Ice: Keeps the mixture smooth.
  • 20 g Salt: For seasoning.
  • 10 g Sugar: Balances flavor.
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper: Ground or whole.
  • 1/2 tsp Nutmeg: Freshly grated.
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder: Adds depth.
  • 50 g Pistachios (optional): Shelled and unsalted.
  • Sodium Nitrite (optional): Preserves pink color.
  • Natural or Synthetic Casings: Holds the mixture.

Instructions

  • Prepare Ingredients
    • Cut pork and fat into small pieces.
    • Freeze slightly. Soak casings in warm water.
  • Grind and Mix
    • Grind pork and blend with ice until smooth.
    • Add salt, sugar, spices, and mix well.
    • Fold in diced fat and pistachios.
  • Stuff Casings
    • Fill casings with the mixture.
    • Tie the ends securely.
  • Cook
    • Poach in water at 75–80°C (167–176°F) for 2–3 hours.
    • Ensure inside reaches 68–70°C (155–158°F).
  • Cool and Slice
    • Cool in ice water and refrigerate overnight.
    • Slice thinly and serve.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 2–3 hours
  • Category: Cold Cut / Sausage
  • Method: Poaching
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 50g
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 0.5g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Mortadella