Award-winning artisan cured meat maker La Quercia is introducing new spreadable cured meat offerings—expanding on the success of the Iowa-based company’s Nduja with two new products. The company is introducing Ground Pancetta and Pesto Bianco, available in tubes for ease of use in creative cooking and entertaining spreads.
“Cooking should be fun and food should be delicious —these spreads deliver on both counts,” noted Co-Founder Kathy Eckhouse. “Add a dollop to sautéed vegetables or soup, use any one of them instead of mayonnaise or mustard on a meat or cheese sandwich. Try a crusty baguette, split and "buttered" with any of the spreads, to fuel your next hike!”
La Quercia’s spreadable Pancetta features Pancetta Americana, the company’s antibiotic-free pork belly, dry-cured with sea salt and spices. Beloved by chefs around the country for its flavor and versatility, Pancetta Americana’s inclusion in the new spreadable line promises to kick any dish up a notch or three, the company noted in a press release, and cooks and novices alike can use it in place of butter on the stovetop or in place of bacon in a sandwich; in grilled cheese, crostino, and pizza; and in ragu, meatballs, and meatloaf.
According to that same press release, Pesto Bianco is a savory Lardo spread that begins with delicious cured fat from La Quercia’s prosciutto—a rich and creamy fat from the company’s vegetarian fed, antibiotic-free, and family-farm raised hogs. The 9-12-month-aged Lardo is blended with sea salt, black pepper, rosemary, and red chili flake and can be used in place of shortening in biscuits or tart crust; melted over a juicy steak or rubbed on chicken before roasting; stirred into warm pasta; or simply spread over warm bread.
Both new products offer the same versatility as La Quercia’s popular Nduja Americana, a spicy prosciutto spread that’s gained in popularity since its launch in 2015. A blend of cured pork, three types of dried New Mexico red chilies, and sea salt—La Quercia’s Nduja Americana packs an umami punch and has developed a cult following from chefs and home cooks around the country.
All La Quercia’s spreads contain no artificial additives and can currently be found online at MondoFood.com and at retailers around the country—including Hy-Vee and Eataly.
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