Pancetta is an Italian cured meat product made from pork belly. It is a type of salumi, where the pork belly is salt-cured. Unlike bacon, pancetta is not smoked. The curing process, which lasts around two months, involves cleaning the pork, salting and brining it with spices like black pepper, chili, garlic, rosemary, and juniper. The meat is then rolled and encased, giving it a distinctive shape.
Pancetta has a robust, savory, and intensely meaty flavor, often described as "pure pork," with a hint of spiciness from black pepper. It is used in many Italian dishes to add depth to soups and pasta. There are two main types: arrotolata (rolled into a cylinder and thinly sliced) and stesa (flat and thick-cut). Pancetta is available in various forms, including diced cubes and uncut pieces. Many brands produce pancetta, including Volpi and La Quercia. Availability is widespread; it can be found in chain grocery stores, Italian markets, and specialty stores like Trader Joe's. The price varies depending on the brand and quantity, but as an example, La Quercia Pancetta Americana sells for $9.99 for either 2 ounces sliced or 4 ounces diced. Farmingdale Meat Market sells a whole piece for $9.82 per pound.
