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Capricola Roasts Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to capricola roast products
About capricola roasts
Capricola roasts are a type of dried Italian meat that comes from the area of the pig between the neck and the fifth rib of the pork shoulder. This tasty fare goes by several names, including coppa, capicolla, gabagool, and capocollo. In fact, the word "capo" means head, and "collo" means neck, which describes exactly from which part of the pig that capricola roasts originate.
This Italian meat is often confused with another type of cured pork called prosciutto. The only difference between these two types of popular deli meat is the location on the pig where the original pork is harvested. Capricola roast is from the shoulder and neck, whereas prosciutto comes from the pig's hips or thighs.
Capricola roasts are made from pigs that are at least eight months old and weigh around 300 pounds. They are typically raised in the south of Italy. What makes this roast so flavorful is the amount of fat it contains. With a fat ratio of 30 percent fat and 70 percent lean, capricola roasts end up being tender and moist once they're dried.
Capricola roasts are actually a creation of Greek origin. Between the 8th and 5th century B.C., Greek settlers made their home in the Magna Graecia, located along the southern coast of Italy. After they settled, they made it their home bringing with them Olympic Games, stuffed pork sausages, large-breed pigs, and of course, capricola roasts.
Capricola roast cooking tips
While capricola roasts are typically already dried and ready to serve when purchased from a grocery store, you can make your own. A basic capricola roast recipe is as follows:
Combine three tablespoons of salt, two tablespoons of sugar, one teaspoon red pepper flakes, and one teaspoon of curing salt, and grind them finely. Rub the entire surface of a three-pound pork loin roast with the spice mixture. Wrap the roast in plastic wrap and refrigerator for five days. Turn it over and refrigerate for another five days. After ten days, take the pork loin out of the refrigerator and rinse it with cold water to remove all the spices. Remove excess water by lightly patting with paper towels.
Next, combine one tablespoon each of coriander seeds and fennel seeds, 1-1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns, 3/4 teaspoon anise seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Grind coarsely. Spread the spice rub all over the pork loin roast until the mixture is gone. Take elastic meat netting and stretch it across the roast, keeping it contained within the netting.
Last but not least, you'll cook the capricola roast—Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a pan of water on a rack in the oven to keep the pork roast moist while cooking. Roast the wrapped pork loin for an hour, then turn it over and roast for two more hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the oven and place it in the refrigerator uncovered for five hours. Cut into thin slices and enjoy!
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FAQs about capricola roasts
While capricola roast is flavorful, there are many ways to serve and prepare this dried Italian meat. Because it's thinly sliced, it's perfect for making small rolled-up or folded snacks—wrap foods like dates, asparagus spears, or chunks of melon. You can also accentuate a standard dinner like pasta or pizza with capricola roasts. Dice it up small and sprinkle it over pizza or pasta dishes. Take a few thin slices and use them to make stuffed chicken breasts. One of the most popular ways to eat capricola roasts is served in sandwiches like Italian grinders, subs, and paninis.
Capricola roasts are not so much cooked as they are dried. This unique Italian pork undergoes a special production process. Producers begin with raw pork and season it with red or white wine and a variety of herbs, spices, and garlic. The meat is salted, stuffed in a natural casing, and dried by hanging it for six months. Some capricola roast producers rub the natural casing of the roast with hot paprika after it's been encased. Once dried, it is then smoked and sliced as thin as possible. The result is a delicately spiced yet slightly smoky Italian sliced pork.
Take advantage of the Instacart app the next time you want to use capricola roasts in one of your recipes. Simply open up the app on your mobile device or computer. Add capricola roasts to your cart, choose the delivery time of your choice, complete your purchase, and your capricola roasts will be on their way. Our Instacart shoppers will do the rest of the work for you and have your groceries delivered in as little as 2 hours! Save time and money with Instacart!