Pepperoni is one of the biggest staples of American Italian-style dining. It’s our favorite topping for our pizzas, a common ingredient for our sandwiches, and more. If you’re a fan of meat, you could hardly have avoided pepperoni. But do you know what is in these Italian-style sausages, or how they are made?
Pepperoni is made of a mixture of different ingredients, though pork is the primary meat. Beef will generally be added as a supplement. Both of these are ground together, and then dried. They are then mixed with an assortment of spices, including salt, black pepper, sugar, anise, cayenne pepper, and paprika. It is the paprika that gives pepperoni much of its color and spicy taste. The mixture is packed into a hog intestine or collagen casing and allowed to dry for between six and eight weeks. Finally, the sausage is cured, after which it is ready to be served.
At our Italian restaurant in Bothell, you can enjoy pepperoni on one of our wood stone fired pizzas. Come and taste this long-time favorite at Amaro Bistro tonight!