Salsiccia – Everything You Need to Know about this Italian Sausage

Salsiccia is one of the oldest types of Italian sausage made from fresh pork. It contains a bit of pork neck and pancetta that lend it a unique flavor. Its most notable feature is that it can be enjoyed raw and grilled over charcoal.

Since different parts of Italy like adding their own touch to classic recipes, you will find that Salsiccia from Northern Italy is flavored with garlic, white wine, pepper, and cinnamon, while the one from Southern Italy is flavored with garlic, fennel, fresh chili pepper, sundried tomatoes, and even caciocavallo cheese.

Salsiccia Pronunciation

Salsiccia is a common word in Italian that means sausages, whereas Salsicce is the singular version that means sausage in Italian. English speakers often add an extra syllable when they pronounce the word. Instead of ‘sal-SEE-tchee-ah’, the correct pronunciation is ‘sal-SEE-ah.”

What Is the History of Salsiccia?

Salsiccia is believed to have originated from the region of Basilicata. Nevertheless, it is famous all over Italy since every area of the country has its own unique version, which includes local ingredients and fun twists. The primary difference you will be able to find in these fresh sausages from various regions is the type and amount of spices added, choice of meat, and quantity of fat.

What Is Salsiccia Used For?

It can be used as a main dish to serve to guests or family. It can be served fresh (raw), grilled with various sides, or used as a topping on traditional Italian pizzas. Some people also add salsiccia to their sandwiches as a filling, while some prefer to add this flavorful sausage to pasta sauces or casseroles. Simply put, this treat can be eaten anytime, anywhere.

Where Can I Buy Salsiccia?

It can be easily bought at Italian delis in the US with different casings and spices added to the mix. You can also find excellent quality Salsiccia at grocery stores. However, if you want to enjoy it fresh, an Italian Deli is often your best option since it is bound to taste fresher and more delicious than any store-bought variety. The best part about purchasing your own Salsiccia is that you have total control over how spicy you would like it to be.

What’s the Difference Between Salsiccia and Salami?

The most notable difference between Salsiccia and Salami is that the former is most commonly made of pork. It contains bits of pancetta and pork neck, giving the sausage a distinct taste.

In comparison, salami can be made from beef or pork and goes through curing, fermentation, and air-drying before serving. Italian sausages do not have to go through the entire curing process and are made fresh using ground pork and other spices.

Aside from the composition and preparation of both, the taste of both products is also quite different. Since Salami is cured and air-dried, it has a more concentrated flavor that tastes delightful paired with the right type of wine.

At the same time, Italian sausages are seasoned with fennel, herbs, and other spices, giving them a distinctly rich and earthy flavor. Since Salsiccia is prepared fresh, it is possible to add more spice to it or make the meat softer. However, this is not possible with salami since you can not change the flavor of the cured meat.

Salsiccia Pizza

Salsiccia pizza is made similarly to how you would make a regular Italian pizza, but the main ingredient of this dish is the fresh Italian sausage. You can add raw Salsiccia to your pizza or pre-cook it before adding it to your uncooked pizza. Both methods can help you create a perfectly flavorful pizza you can enjoy with friends and family.

To make Salsiccia pizza with raw Italian sausage, you need to take it out of its casing and apply it onto the uncooked pizza base, with pizza sauce, in small raw chunks. After adding the raw sausage pieces, add your preferred type of cheese, olives, and vegetables, and place the pizza to bake in the oven.

As the pizza cooks in the oven, the outer layer of the raw sausage will begin to crisp up as the meat inside begins to sizzle and release its flavors. When you bite into the sausage pizza, you will taste the fully cooked sausage that is deliciously juicy and full of great texture.

If you’re using cooked Salsiccia, you need to remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it onto a skillet over medium heat. You can add tomatoes and onions into the skillet to make a sauce for the pizza, which can be spread as a pizza sauce base.

You can also sauté the meat until it is fully cooked and spread it over the uncooked pizza base as a layer. Once you have completed all the layers of the pizza (sauce, sausage, and cheese), place the pizza into the oven to cook. Once the pizza is ready, you can enjoy a tasty slice that carries flavors of wine, fennel, and other spices.

Salsiccia – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Salsiccia the same as Italian sausage?

Salsiccia is a universal name for fresh Italian sausages made of pork and fennel. These sausages are often made with ground or minced pork along with various spices. These sausages are encased in either natural pork or sheep casing and are linked together to be cooked.

What kind of sausage is Salsiccia?

It is a kind of sausage that is made from pork. It contains pancetta and bits of pork neck that give a delicious fatty and meaty flavor to the sausage.

Is Salsiccia spicy?

There are various types of Salsiccia that are either mild or spicy. While the mild version may contain no visible peppers or spice, the hot version may have red pepper flakes to add a punch of heat to the sausage.

How do you eat Salsiccia?

This sausage can be eaten fresh but is also grilled over charcoal for a nice crispy and smoky flavor.

Can you eat Salsiccia raw?

Just like people enjoy eating beef tartare, Salsiccia can be enjoyed raw as well. You can add a dash of lemon juice and enjoy it raw and appreciate the earthy herbs and wine in the recipe of the sausage.

Is Salsiccia cooked?

Salsiccia is an Italian sausage that is not cooked. It can be enjoyed raw, but if you are looking for a crispier and smokier flavor, you should try grilling it.

Can you eat Salsiccia when pregnant?

Yes, but only if it is completely cooked and piping hot. Eating raw meat while being pregnant can be risky, which is why you should refrain from enjoying fresh and raw versions.

Salsiccia- An Incredibly Tasty Italian Sausage

This video will help you learn how to make your own Salsiccia. This recipe only needs a few simple ingredients to make amazing homemade Salsiccia easily.

Summary

Salsiccia is a fresh Italian sausage that is most commonly made of pork. It contains ingredients like fennel, cinnamon, red chili pepper, white wine, pepper, garlic, and more.

The spices and ingredients vary depending on which region it is from. Southern Italy incorporates brighter and spicier elements to their fresh Italian sausage while the one found in Northern Italy is simpler and has a mouth-watering meaty flavor.

You can easily find Salsiccia at your nearest Italian deli and enjoy it raw or cooked, per your preference.

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