Porchetta

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See also: Porchetta (family name)

Porchetta (por'ket:ta) is a spicy, tasty and moist boneless pork roast of Italian culinary tradition. The pig is roasted whole, possibly over wood, and is heavily salted in addition to being stuffed with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other herbs. Porchetta has been selected by the Italian Ministero delle Politiche Agricole, Alimentari e Forestali as a "prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale" ("traditional agricultural-alimentary product", one of a list of traditional Italian foods hold to have cultural relevance).

[edit] In Italy

Although popular in the whole country, porchetta originated in central Italy, with Ariccia (in the Province of Rome) being the town most closely associated with it. Elsewhere, it is considered a celebratory dish and is usually sold by pitchmen with their typically white-painted vans, especially during public displays or holidays, and it is served within a panino.

[edit] Abroad

Porchetta was introduced to the USA by Italian immigrants of the early 20th century, and is sometimes referred to as "Italian pulled pork". It is in many places served on a sandwich with greens (broccoli raab or spinach) and provolone cheese. Porchetta is also very popular in Southern Ontario (in areas such as Toronto, Hamilton and St. Catharines) and the term "porchetta" is widely used by Italian-Canadians, instead of simply "roast pork".