The cotechino is an Italian charcuterie product, similar to salami, but that has to be cooked - usually it is boiled at low heat for about four hours. Its name comes from cotica (rind), but it may take different names in the different production areas. According to tradition, it's served together with lentils on New Year's Eve, to bring luck for the coming year.
It is prepared filling the gut with:
mixed with salt and spices; in the industrial production nitrites and nitrates are added as preservatives.
The cotechino Modena is an Indicazione Geografica Protetta-IGP product, meaning its recipe and production are preserved under the Italian law.
Four Italian regions have so long declared cotechino a traditional food: