Nduja sausage is becoming more popular than ever, folk and starting to recognise this delightful cured meat’s delicious, unique flavor.
It can be eaten raw, spread on bread with a drizzle of olive oil and black pepper, or added to pasta sauces to give them a spicy kick.
An alternative way people like to eat nduja is either stuffed in the skin of peppers (a popular dish in southern Italy) or fried with onions, sage and lentils.
Nduja is a versatile meat that is a perfect pizza topping! According to pizzaiolos, nduja pizza is rising worldwide because of its unique spiciness.
Read on to find out more about this delicious meat.
What is nduja sausage, and where does it come from?
Nduja sausage originated in Southern Italy and is made with a mixture of pork fat, meat, chilli pepper, fennel seeds, and sometimes some Calabrian pepperoncini.
Although it might sound like a highly spicy dish, nduja has a more creamy texture than a fiery one making it suitable for most tastes.
How do you pronounce nduja?
Well, it depends on where you live. The majority of pizza connoisseurs say “en-DOO-ya“.
However, some get confused by the pronunciation and say “IN-due-ya, ” which is incorrect.
But hey, how you pronounce nduja is up to you; the main thing is that you know about this delish Italian meat!
How Would We Describe The Flavors of nduja sausage ?
Nduja ingredients are pork, salt, chilli pepper, garlic, and Calabrian chilli. The first sense that hits you is the smell, similar to a pepperoni sausage.
There are numerous flavors you get from nduja. However, the two most noticeable are its spiciness and sweetness.
The spiciness of nduja sausage can be described as mild with a pleasantly sweet aftertaste. This comes from the Calabrian chilli, which is light and does not overwhelm the palate.
The pork has a nice, hearty flavor that is rich and fatty. The garlic adds a pleasurable, subtle flavor which is just enough to be present in the final product.
Nduja smells remarkably similar to a pepperoni sausage.
How is nduja sausage made?
These ingredients are minced together until smooth, then salted and left to cure for several weeks or months. The fatty nature of the pork product means that, during curing, it needs to be kept in a refrigerator at all times.
Many also add smoke flavor during this time, though do it cautiously as the sausage is still not fully cured and much more fragile than it will be when finished.
Why is nduja sausage becoming such a popular pizza topping?
This pork-based spreadable sausage has become an increasingly popular pizza topping. It perfectly complements a pizza base with a classic tomato sauce as it melts into the cheese, releasing its distinctive spicy flavour and creamy texture.
A combination to die for!
How to store nduja sausage?
Due to its high-fat content of almost 80%, nduja keeps fresh longer than most sausages. However, the right conditions must be met to remain safe to eat.
Length of life:
Nduja sausage can be stored in the fridge for up to four months. You have to ensure you keep it in an airtight Tupperware box or bag.
Temperature:
It should be stored in the fridge below 5 degrees Celsius.
Exposure to air:
Nduja is packaged in an airtight container to guarantee freshness, but a certain amount of air will be introduced upon opening it. It is vital to consume the nduja quickly to avoid moulding if left open to the air for too long.
Light exposure:
Nduja must not be exposed to light!
Nutritional information for Nduja sausage:
Nduja is a highly nutritious food, and in just 100 grams, contains:
Calories: 539
Fat: 45g
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 32.5g
Summary:
Nduja sausage is a pork-based spreadable sausage; it has recently become increasingly popular with pizza consumers. Its spiciness and sweetness add a little kick to your Pizza.
You can purchase this delightful meat and store it in the fridge for several months.
