Authentic Calabrian Salami: SMAF Ltd selection

07.02.2021

We proudly present our line of Authentic Calabrian Cold Cuts: SMAF Ltd selection.

TRADITION AND QUALITY

SMAF LTD deals with all the sausages and salami labelled in Calabrian DOPs. However, among the sausages, stand out the Calabrian “soppressata”, seasoned salami (capocollo and hard sausage) and the famous “Nduja” (sophisticated spicy and spreadable salami).

The first item, SOPPRESSATA is an Italian dry salami. Soppressata is sometimes prepared using ham, but it never happens in Calabria.

Even if there are many variations, two principal types are made: a cured dry sausage typical of Basilicata, Apulia, and Calabria, and a very different uncured salame, made in Tuscany and Liguria.

In Calabria, and generally in the south of Italy, this salami is part of southern Italian cultural heritage, much more than in the north.

“Soppressata di Calabria” enjoys Protected designation of origin status, as in esample that one produced in Acri and Decollatura, highly renowned.

Secondly, CAPOCOLLO is a traditional Calabrian and, generally, Italian pork cold cut, made from the dry-cured muscle running from the neck to the 4th or 5th rib of the pork shoulder or neck, sometimes smoked or conserved in olive oil or flavored with cooked wine.

Given that it is a whole muscle salume, its preparation seems similar to the more widely known cured ham or prosciutto. Both are pork-derived cold-cuts and typically sliced very thin.

We can count, in Italy, two particular varieties, Coppa Piacentina and Capocollo di Calabria. We deal with the second, which has Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) status, under the Common Agricultural Policy of European Union law, which ensures that only products genuinely originating in those regions are allowed in commerce as such.

Other versions, not covered by mentioned PDO status, are simply designated as “Prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale” (P.A.T.) by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies. It is the case of Capocollo del Lazio, Capocollo tipico senese (called finocchiata or finocchiona), Capocollo della Basilicata and Capocollo dell’Umbria.

In any case, our well known product is ‘NDUJA.

Generally, outside Calabria, is a special, spicy, spreadable pork salumi, made with shoulder and belly, ripe, roasted peppers and a mixture of spices. Our Calabrian variation derives from French andouille and is made using meat from the head, trimmings, fatback, and roasted hot red peppers.

The fiery taste of ‘Nduja is typical of the small town of Spilinga, where it was developed in the actual taste.

It is served with slices of bread or with ripe cheese and has a unique taste, suitable for a variety of dishes. Bright red in colour with a fiery taste, our ‘Nduja is delicious on a pizza or alongside medium seasoned cheeses. It also gives an incredible flavor, when you add it to lightly fried onions celery and carrot, as the basis of a tomato sauce for pasta, or just on its own with the addition of a little of the pasta water.

OTOH, we have a wide variety of other CALABRESE SALAMI. All our regional coarsely ground pork salamis are mildly hot, due to a generous addition of red pepper flakes– perfect for sandwiches and antipasto.

They are pressed into a flat shape during curing. This pressing not only gives Calabrese its characteristic shape, it also gives it a wonderfully firm texture. This coursely ground meat is perfect for sandwiches or in an antipasto. Serve with crackers for a game day appetizer as well.

Other example of calabrese Salami is “Cervellata Calabrese”, a Pork Salami or Sausage flavored with white wine and hot peppers. Another is “Pancetta di Calabria DOP”, a Pork Salami, part of many Italian recipes and widely used in the preparation of fried. It can also be consumed raw or barely heated, sliced thin, more or less, along with salt bread, baked in a wood, a typical local tradition. Another one “Salsiccia di Calabria DOP”, a Pork Salami, which, according to an ancient recipe, is made with giblets and fatty parts of pork mixed with hot peppers, bagged, then smoked at first and then cured.

All these salami from Calabria dates to the period of Greek colonization of the Ionian coast and the cultural glories of Ancient Greece. Historical records describe processing of pork from the seventeenth century.

OUR ROLE

SMAF Associates LTD operates in Calabrian’s original salami sector as a broker – national and international “Broker”. Our activity towards the original Calabrian sausages starts from a long experience in the agricultural products market, in the activities of buying, selling, import-export, logistics, sea-to-land transport, insurance and customs issues.

Our brokerage deals with import-export to USA, Canada, Europe and Eastern countries, from Calabria, Italy, for quality fruit and vegetables of the best brands. We give the right importance to the original Calabrian quality sausages by taking care of their transport directly from the manufacturer. We guarantee our business partners the utmost seriousness and we have clients of great international prestige. Among the other brokerage countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Chile, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, USA and Vietnam.

Our company is leader in the distribution of Calabrian original salami.

The presence of liaison offices in Calabria ensures us a strategic position for the supply and distribution of goods. We are the privileged interlocutor for the Commercial and Collective Catering World and all the business forms that need a high level of service as well as a constant and customized quality standard.

Biodiversity of Calabrian Gastronomy

20.7.2019

THE REGION IS 9° IN THE TOP TEN OF ITALY

The “flag of taste” nr. 9 was assigned this year, 2019, at the table of Calabria. This is what emerged from the new census 2019 of the Italian food & beverage specialties, that are obtained according to traditional rules protracted over time for at least 25 years.
The census was presented by Coldiretti at the opening of the Coldiretti Farmer’s Village in Milan at Castello Sforzesco, athe presence of many farmers, farmer’s markt operators and agri-chef.

A plenty of specialties


The exhibition introduced many historical recipes, and the sub-exhibitions, connected to this bigger event, made known many treasures to save, hidden in the Made in Italy.
At the event, there was a large representation of Calabrian farmers, who exhibited and made taste some of the most famous agricultural products of Calabria: liquorice, figs, Dop salami, Spilinga nduja pasta, bergamot, cheeses, cedar, chilli pepper and many others.

Colors of gastronomy

269 GASTRONOMIC SPECIALTIES

In our region – said Franco Aceto regional president of Coldiretti – the products surveyed by the region are 269 that are part of the heritage of specialties that are obtained according to traditional rules extended over time for at least 25 years. These are paired with the 17 Dop and Igp Calabresi specialties.

Salami, Bergamot, Wine, Cheese, Bread

This is the result of the work of entire generations of farmers committed to defending and preserving biodiversity and the distinctiveness of the territory and food traditions over time “, continued Aceto, who also stressed that “it is a common good for all citizens and a cultural heritage that generates considerable interest and that we can proudly offer to Italian and foreign tourists also because they are evocative of stories and territories“.

The census of food products in our region – suggested Aceto – “must accelerate and continue because there is still a rich heritage of biodiversity and products that can be put to value with undisputed benefits. We need to consolidate the new development model of Calabria, basing it on the strengths that are its own historical and artistic heritage, the landscape and the food.

Biscuits, spirits, wine, pastry

“The regional specialties of Calabria are – according to Coldiretti – 85 different types of pasta, bread and bakery products, 28 types of meat, 24 cheeses, and further: 73 vegetable or processed products, 12 compound dishes or gastronomic products, 7 beverages (including soft drinks), liqueurs and spirits, 11 products of animal origin (honey, dairy excluding butter, etc.) and 21 preparations of fish, molluscs and crustaceans “.