Nduja

Nduja: The Bold and Spicy Sausage Spread

What is Nduja?

It is a unique and flavorful sausage spread that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Made from a mixture of ingredients, pork, Calabrian chilies peppers, and spices, nduja has a bold and spicy taste that sets it apart from traditional sausages.

(pronounced en-DOO-ya), In French "andouille", it is a spicy, spreadable salami. Like Calabrese salami, this delicacy from southern Italy is seasoned with Calabrian chili peppers for a distinctive heat. This sausage has a higher fat-to-lean meat ratio compared to other types of Italian salami. Typical salami types consist of a 3:1 lean muscle to fat ratio, but for this high fat sausage, that ratio is reversed, giving it its unique, soft and spreadable consistency.

Is Nduja the Same as Chorizo?

While this spreadable sausage and chorizo are both spicy sausages, they are not the same. Chorizo is a dry-cured sausage that is usually sliced and eaten as a snack, while nduja is a spreadable sausage that is used more as an ingredient in cooking. Additionally, chorizo is typically made with a mixture of pork and paprika, while "en doo ya" is made with a mixture of pork, chili peppers, and other spices.

What Does Nduja Taste Like?

This spicy spreadable salami has a bold and spicy flavor that is similar to that of a hot and spicy sausage. The chili peppers give the spread a spicy kick, while the other spices provide depth and complexity. The spread has a creamy and spreadable texture that makes it easy to use as an ingredient in a variety of dishes.

How Do Italians Eat Nduja?

In Italy, it is often used as a spread on crostini or as a topping for pizza. It is also used as an ingredient in pasta dishes, adding a spicy kick to the sauce. Some people even spread nduja on bread and eat it as a snack.

The salty, spicy, buttery taste of ‘nduja salami and its creamy, meaty texture make it a wonderful addition to many Italian dishes. Make ‘nduja pasta sauces, ‘nduja pizza, tomato sauce, and so much more. The simplest way to enjoy this spreadable, spicy salami is on crusty bread or crackers. Add it from brands such as Maestri, Tempesta, and Salumeria Biellese to your next charcuterie board!

Is Nduja the Same as Andouille?

No, it is not the same as andouille. French Andouille is a type of sausage that is typically made with pork and is popular in Cajun cuisine. It has a smoky flavor and is used in dishes such as jambalaya and gumbo. Nduja, on the other hand, is a spreadable sausage that is made with a mixture of pork, chili peppers, and spices.

Can Nduja be Eaten Raw?

It can be eaten raw, but it is typically cooked before eating. This is because the spread is made from pork, which must be cooked to a safe temperature to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. When cooked, this spicy sausage originating from Calabria becomes soft and spreadable, making it easy to use as an ingredient in a variety of dishes and pasta sauces.