I was in Seattle this week and I really get tired of restaurant foods sometimes. When the day is hot, I like some charcuterie, a bit of cheese, and some water for supper. I first stumbled upon this type of eating during a trip to Italy back in 2006 and it suits me on these types of days. Having spent 250 nights in hotels in the last two years, I have learned to make the hotel feel a bit like home. What better way then to get a nice selection of cold cuts and watch the news.
I hit the IGA downtown assuming they had a deli. They didn’t The other good delis are a bit inaccessible from the financial district, but I came across a deli selection in the cold cut isle and saw the Columbus offering. I’ve seen these meats in California. A company that honors the pig deserves my attention. I couldn’t decide which one to try so I got all three. To my suprise, this is some good stuff. Reviews of each selection to follow:
Sopressata
This was ‘good eats’. Look at that tantalizing fat, peppercorns, and a hint of fennel and I think a little paprika. I actually hate fennel, but it worked here. It had a bit of hot pepper added to it and it reminded me of some of the beautiful meat plates I had in Florence. The consistency is really nice and the flavor works well. Sopressata (which I don’t think I had before), gets a top rating and is worth a try.
Dry Coppa
This is sex on a plate. LOOK AT THAT FRIGGING FAT SWIRL! This my friends melts in the mouth and it the fois gras of the piggy. It’s basically trimmed pork shoulder that is cured in salt and some light spices. It tastes like it spent a lot of time curing and handing. This stuff literally melts right on your tongue and the flavor of the fat is over this moon. I want to be wrapped and cured in this when I die.
Italian Dry Salame
This is the ‘shizzle’ people. I’ve eaten a lot of Salame (I MEAN A LOT). This is as good as anything I’ve had thus far. And this stuff is cheap! $5bucks a package and well worth it. To have a plate of charcuterie like these three with 1/2 the portions between two people, you’d be looking at 18-25 bucks. Here, three packages for $15 and could easily feed three people (more if you have crackers and wine.) This was sweet, a great cured taste, and there was a hint of red wine. The wine was either sweet, or their was sugar involved, because this stuff is like candy.
Overall, you need to try this brand. It makes sense and is comparable if not better, than anything you’ll find in an Italian market. This company loves the pig and therefore I love them. I’m looking forward to trying some of their offerings including:
- Dry Coppa Hot
- Prosciutto
- Pancetta
- Calabrese Hot Salame
- Chorizo Casero
- Pepper Salame
- hell, I’m interested in everything they are doing.
Check them out here: http://www.columbussalame.com