If any eatery can match a Jewish deli’s taste, freshness, and authenticity, it’s an Italian deli! Italian delis stand out on the American food map with the best cold and hot Italian meat, cheeses, pastas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. There are many outlets in the United States serving delectable meats.
The sensory overload from the hunky slabs of imported soppressata, mortadella, and other cured meats, combined with the fresh smell of neatly stacked bread loaves, invite you to take a bite. If you’ve ever tried Italian deli sandwiches, you know what we are talking about!
Facts about Italian Delis
Here are some delicious facts about Italian delis that will give you an insight into the making of some of the best cold-cut meat in the world:
1. Italian Delis Use Pork Which Has Ancient Roots
Delis are all about processed and transformed meat. Italian delis mostly cure pork meat to serve customers, and this practice has ancient roots. For centuries, Italians have been known to keep hogs. It was evident in the excavations of Forcello, where animal remains were found. Most of them were hog bones and missing major parts of their limbs.
Romans were also avidly interested in pork meat, mainly concentrating on the upper leg portion of the animal. They used specific curation methods to produce delicious meats from certain parts of a hog’s body. Ham was once a premium product that was prepared from hog meat and served at special events. Barbarians added their own touch to pork meat and introduced cold cuts, shoulders and pork bellies, and hams.
The centuries have only added to the interest in pork meat among Italians. They learned hog slaughtering and meat transformation skills and passed them on to keep the practice alive. The Italian deli products we enjoy today have evolved over a long time to become a staple in the food industry.
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2. Production of Cold Cut Italian Meat Is a Skill
Italian delis are popular for cold cuts, and each has a special preparation method. Raw meat is taken from rich pork and processed through various techniques to produce the cold cuts we see in the delis.
The first step that distinguishes Italian cold cuts is the meat taken from pork. The meat’s quality determines how juicy and appetizing it can be after the procedure is complete. The cold-cut meats also endure a special control system that guarantees safety and quality.
Interestingly, these controls do not appear during the curation process—they start during livestock breeding. The animals are given space to move around while maintaining high hygienic standards. The strict controls create a sanitary environment that guarantees clean management throughout meat preservation. It shouldn’t be surprising, given the centuries it took to perfect the skill!
3. Production Techniques of Italian Deli Meat Haven’t Changed in Centuries
Modern technology did not change the meat preservation process for Italian deli meat. It only improved the production process and quality. The Italian deli meat preparation process continues to follow traditional methods to ensure authenticity and flavor.
The production process maintains the typicality of meat products even after adapting to modern nutrition requirements. In fact, the traditional recipes of various Italian regions remain unchanged. The authenticity is guaranteed with PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). The guidelines ensure that cold cuts are produced without losing quality or regional flavor.
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4. You Can Find the Best Cheese in an Italian Deli
Italian delis look incomplete without the best cheese on display. We’ve all had traditional Italian cheese made from whole or buffalo milk in our pasta dishes and pizzas. You can expect the same from Italian deli products. From mozzarella to robiola and asiago, you can find the most delicious cheeses in the Italian delis. Other products you can find in an Italian deli include varieties of pasta, sauces, and wine.
5. Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery Has the Best Italian Deli Sandwich in the US
While New York has the best Jewish delis serving delicious kosher and non-kosher meat, Italian delis are not limited to this region. America has Italian delis in various states. They serve traditionally-cured meat wrapped in a sandwich.
You can find the best deli sandwich in Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery. The deli is located in Santa Monica, and their best Italian sub is called ‘The Godmother.’ The sub is stuffed with juicy meat, cheeses, and delicious toppings.
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is not the only place serving overstuffed Italian deli sandwiches. Gioia’s Deli in St. Louis is also famous for its hot salami sandwich stacked with cured deli meat, melted cheese, onions, and mustard.
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Family Food: One of a Kind Italian Deli Food at Tony’s Beechhurst
In this episode of Family Food, they head over to Tony’s Beechhurst in Whitestone, Queens, to eat Italian deli food. They meet Emilio and Josephine Polito, immigrants who worked tirelessly to make Tony’s into the neighborhood staple it is today.
Summary
We hope these facts about Italian delis helped you understand how they are different from Jewish delis in America. Although both serve juicy meat slices in overstuffed sandwiches, their evolution over time has been unique.
Italian delis preserve pork meat using traditional methods. Each Italian region has its unique recipe for meat processing, and modern technology has not changed the way it’s prepared. Italian delis in America still use the same processes to prepare deli meat, such as pancetta, mortadella, porchetta, and culatello.
Facts about Italian Delis – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is an Italian Deli Called?
An Italian deli is called salumeria, bottega alimentare and gastronomia. There are more names, but these are the most common. An Italian deli serves cured meat, sandwiches, imported cheese, salads, pastas, etc.
What Meat Is Most Eaten in Italy?
Pork is the most common meat in Italy. Italian delis also preserve pork meat for their various products. Pork has been an Italian favorite for centuries. In fact, its curation process has not changed much over time. Other meats like venison, wild boar, and beef are also cured in Italy.
What Is Gabagool Italian Food?
Gabagool is a type of Italian cold-cut meat you can find at a deli. The meat is an Italian ham and is used as a traditional cold cut for sandwiches.
What are Italian Cold Cuts Called?
Italian cold cuts are cold mortadella. They are the finest contribution of Italian delis, prepared using pork, nuts, spices, and other delicious ingredients.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.