Salami Day 2022: All About This Yummy Meat Delight

National Salami Day is here and this is the time to appreciate this delicious Italian sausage. Just like cheeseburger holds a special place for Americans, salami retains a special place in the heart of Italians. Italy has so many varieties probably around 300, of different flavours and shapes that you can only find there and nowhere else.

It all started with the idea of preserving meat. Though there is no clear mention of how salami came into existence, they are said to have belonged to a food group called salsum which means salted, in roman times. Ever since we know, salt has been known for its quality to preserve meat as it blocks the production of bacteria and naturally expels water. Made out of fermented and air-dried meat, salami is a plural word of ‘salame’ in Italian. Salami are almost made of beef and pork meat but chicken salami also gained much popularity. For this, the meat is ground and kneaded till the desired texture is achieved following the addition of certain spices. Many of us would not know but salami is cased in animal intestines, mostly the same animal they are made from. Though industries have started to emphasize towards making leaner salami affecting their texture and taste, the original one has the right balance of meat. It should be “fatti come una volta” or we should say “made as they used to be”! Let us tell you that pane e salame which means bread and salami is actually a known metaphor for simple, classic, and good food.  We can understand why is it so! 

The first salami day was organized by the Salami Appreciation Society at Henrico in Virginia in 2006. Yes, our beloved salami has its own appreciation society. Thanks to the one who started this day!! Salami is a complete meal on its own. You can munch them alone or top them with anything you like. You can have a sandwich of it and the best one is to enjoy it with a glass of red wine. Can anything be more relaxing than this? 

After this much discussion, I can surely say that salami is just not children’s favourite but a simple yet classic way to enjoy a meal. I know I am not alone but you all are its fans. So, to appreciate this beauty, let us tell you the recipe of the classic salami sandwich that you can have to celebrate the day. Here is how you can make it at home.

Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup chopped green onions 
  • ½ cup cream cheese  
  • 8 slices of sandwich bread 
  • 10 pieces salami 
  • 4 green lettuce leaves 
  • 1 garlic clove 

Method 

  • Take a bowl and add cream cheese to it. 
  • Add ¼ cup green onion and garlic clove. 
  • Mash everything together till the cheese gets incorporated.  
  • Take bread slices and spread the cream cheese mixture on each side. 
  • Top the bread slices with lettuce and salami pieces. 
  • Slap them together and enjoy! 

Happy Salami Day!!