Things You'll Need:
- 1 tbsp. finely ground black pepper 2 tsp. finely ground white pepper 1 tbsp. finely ground salt (noniodized) 1 tsp. finely ground coriander seeds 1 tsp. finely ground fennel seeds 7 lbs. lean pork meat, a variety of cuts 1 lb. streaky pork side meat 1 tbsp. finely minced garlic 1 cup grappa Vinegar Meat grinder 4 feet of large beef casings More salt and pepper Butcher's string 4 feet sausage netting
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Step 1
Combine the peppers, salt, coriander and fennel and grind or pound to a fine powder. Set aside.
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Step 2
Coarsely chop the meats into rough 1-inch cubes, then put them through the coarse blade of the meat grinder. Combine meats, spices, garlic and grappa in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly, until it is difficult to distinguish individual ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 24 hours to begin curing.
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Step 3
Wash casings thoroughly with vinegar. Drain off vinegar and rub the casings with fine salt and pepper. Shake off the excess. Pack the cured sausage into the casing, tying at desired intervals. Press down very well on the meat, packing it tightly and expelling any air. Place the sausages in the sausage netting, if using. Decide what shape you want your salami to be. For a flattened sopressata, go to Step 4. For a round salami, go to Step 5.
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Step 4
For a traditional flattened sopressata, start the curing by placing the sopressata on a rack in a pan, then covering it with a cutting board or another rack. Place a brick or other weight on top and leave it for a week or two in a cool and airy spot. This will press some of the liquid out and also produce the traditional flattened shape. If you are going to finish curing by hanging your salami, go now to Step 6, otherwise, continue with this step to finish your sopressata.
If you cannot hang your sausage, continue drying by removing the board and weight and leaving the sopressata on the rack. Store in a warm and airy place. Continue drying for two to three months, turning weekly. Leave until dry and solid, or until salami has reduced in wight by about 30%. Serve thinly sliced in sandwiches or as an appetizer. -
Step 5
Make a round salami. Do not flatten, simply hang the fresh, round salami in an airy, cool spot for a week or two, to start curing. Then, go to Step 6.
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Step 6
Finish your salami by hanging in a warm, well-ventilated place. Continue drying for two to three months, until dry and solid, or until salami has reduced in weight by about 30 percent. Serve thinly sliced with bread and cheese.
