Limited release!
The lumberjacks in northern Italy know how to keep warm. Centuries ago--even before salame was a widespread Italian tradition--the tree huggers of Udine along the Slovenian-Italian border needed a way to keep meat on their bones...and to keep their recently butchered harvest from spoiling.
In their cool cellars, they cured pork belly and back fat under salt and wine infused with savory spice. Both pork sides went into a cool smokehouse so the sweet smoke permeated the cured slabs but didn't render the fat.
The whole lot was finely chopped and blended to make a paste that could be packed into jars. Kept cool and covered, this flavor-packed schmear would keep for months as the lumberjacks moved through the northern Italian forests.
To warm up from the inside out, those ancient foresters only had to toast a slice from a crusty loaf and then spread on a thick layer of Sassaka. On top of hot toast, we're tempting to call it "bacon butter" as it warms and begins to render for a stick-to-your-ribs starter layered with sweet, smoky, and winter spice flavors.
Serving suggestions:
- Let come to room temp. Slather on slices of crusty bread still hot from the toaster–the Italians prefer country rye.
- Patty burgers around a nugget of Sassaka (beef of course, but also delicious in game burgers: bison, wild boar, elk, 'gator, venison, and more.
- Add a thin layer to lasagna, especially with besciamella and mushrooms.
- Blend with a little butter to top hot steaks, broiled lobster tail, and jumbo shrimp kabobs – it’s a next level finishing butter.
Each package about 6oz
Store in refrigerator (or freeze for longer storage).