The Ultimate Guide to Italian Deli Meats and Classic Sandwiches

Italian deli meats are a cornerstone of Italy’s rich culinary tradition, offering a wide range of flavours and textures that make for some truly memorable sandwiches. Whether you’re a fan of savoury, spicy, or subtly sweet, there’s an Italian deli meat and sandwich combination just for you. Let’s dive into the world of Italian deli meats and discover some classic sandwiches that showcase these delicious ingredients.

Italian Deli Meats: A Flavourful Overview

Prosciutto: This dry-cured ham is renowned for its delicate, sweet flavour and silky texture. Prosciutto di Parma is especially famous, thanks to its meticulous aging process. It’s perfect for sandwiches where a touch of elegance is desired.
Salami: With various types like Salame Milano (mild) and Salame Calabrese (spicy), Salami adds a bold and savory kick to sandwiches. It’s seasoned with a blend of spices and cured to perfection.
Capicola (Coppa): A flavourful, dry-cured pork shoulder or neck, Capicola has a rich taste and tender texture. It’s often seasoned with spices and aged to develop its distinctive flavour.
Mortadella: This smooth, finely ground sausage, sometimes with pistachios, offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It’s a versatile option that works well in a variety of sandwiches.
Bresaola: This air-dried, salted beef is aged to develop a deep, robust flavour. It’s lean and tender, often served thinly sliced with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.
Speck: A type of smoked ham from the Alto Adige region, Speck combines the flavours of both curing and smoking. It’s a great choice for sandwiches needing a smoky, savoury touch.
Pancetta: This Italian bacon, made from pork belly, is cured and spiced but not smoked. It adds a rich, fatty flavour to sandwiches, often used in both cooked and raw forms.

Our Panino: The Iconic Italian Sandwich.

Made daily, our famous Panino starts on a 12 inch fresh baguette and gets topped with fresh capicola, Genoa salami, mortadella, and provolone cheese. Ajvar spread, olive oil, and spices top everything off. Our Panino is a tribute to the sandwiches we grew up eating and a testament to how simple ingredients (and a bit of passion) can come together and create something delicious! Every day we see hundreds of these panini leave our stores in the hands of regulars and people trying it for the first time and are proud to know the tradition of the “the panino” continues in Edmonton!