Nduja

I was wandering around the West Village with a friend when suddenly we came upon Bleeker Street and I knew exactly what we had to do. Almost running to the cheese shop, dragging my very confused friends, I crossed my fingers, looked up at the clerk and said “Nduja”. A little smile crossed his lips as he reached into the case. $16.00 and a trip to bakery next door for a loaf of italian bread and we were ready for a taste. Using my pocket knife and a paper plate I just happened to have on me we cut a few pieces of the crusty loaf and scooped out some of this pate like meat. Sweet, peppery, spicy. The spice builds up and then plateaus, hanging on but not overwhelming. I sat thinking about it for a bit. It was tasty, no denying that, but there was something missing from it. It was new but had so many elements that you had tasted before. The combination and consistency of it can be a little confusing at first. Just give it 30 seconds though and when somehow another piece has found it’s way into your mouth it’ll all be ok.

You don’t just have to spread it on bread though. Here is a recipe where it is stirred into a pasta sauce.