Mortandela

Region: Trentino, Italy

Ingredients: Pork, salt, pepper, thyme, mint, coriander, sage, bay, oregano, saltpetre

Made by Massimo and Orietta Corra third generation butchers in the Val di Non, Mortandella is a small smoked patty shaped sausage wrapped in caul fat.  Traditionally made using offal like heart or lungs, Massimo now makes it from pork belly and shoulder with a range of herbs and spices. 

Many meats from Trentino are smoked and this is no exception. but Massimo is inventive in his choice of woods as each type imparts a different quality of flavour.  Chestnut is used for sweetness, beech for toasty notes and juniper for citrus.  After smoking the Mortandelle are aged for 3 weeks before being sold.