What is nduja?

Nduja: Spicy, Spreadable Sausage from Calabria

Nduja is a particularly spicy, spreadable pork sausage from the region of Calabria, in southern Italy. It is similar to sobrassada from the Balearic Islands, and is made using pork, usually parts like the shoulder and belly, as well as trippa (offal), along with a large quantity of Calabrian%20chili%20peppers, which give it its distinctive flavor and fiery kick.

Key Characteristics:

• Spice Level: Extremely spicy due to the high proportion of chili peppers.
• Texture: Soft, spreadable, and almost paste-like, due to the use of fat and the grinding process.
• Flavor: Rich, savory, smoky, and intensely spicy.
• Ingredients: Typically made with pork (including offal), fat, salt, and Calabrian chili peppers. Some recipes include milk proteins.
• Production: The mixture is stuffed into a casing, smoked, and then left to cure for several months.

Culinary Uses:

Nduja is a versatile ingredient and can be used in a variety of ways:

• Spread: Spread on bread, crackers, or crostini.
• Pasta Sauce: Added to pasta sauces for a spicy kick.
• Pizza Topping: Used as a pizza topping.
• Flavoring Agent: Added to soups, stews, eggs, and grilled meats for flavour.
• As a condiment: It can be used as a condiment in sandwiches or wraps.