Pancetta, an originally Italian invention, was used either as a garnish or a main dish. It is salt-cured salumi made of pork belly meat. It is mostly used to add depth to pasta and soup. Making Pancetta is that it is processed at very high temperatures after being salt-cured and preserved with nitrates. This salumi can be prepared with various ingredients, including salt, dextrose, sodium nitrate, sugar, garlic, etc. The Italian Pancetta is usually sliced into thin strips and can be eaten raw, used in pasta and various other dishes. The Greek Pancetta can, however, be prepared as a main dish.
There are two main types of Pancetta’s; the arrotolata (which is rolled) typical of northern Italy and the Stresa (which is flat) typical of southern Italy. Pancetta generally has a light pink color, a salty taste, and a silky feel. One serving of Pancetta could contain about 5.0g of protein, 11.0g of fat, and 20-25g of cholesterol, 540mg of sodium, a few traces of carbohydrates but no dietary fibers.
Pancetta is preserved by salt and spice curing the meat. The nitrate in the salt and spice mixture reduces moisture and decreases water activity. This stops it from spoiling quickly. In its original packaging, it can last for up to a year. After it is opened, it has a shelf life of about 2-3weeks.
Pancetta is known to be associated with specific health hazards such as cancer and diabetes. This is due to the presence of nitrosamines in processed meat like Pancetta. Nitrosamine is formed when the nitrates preserve in the meat mixes with Amines (the natural component of beef).
Pancetta Nutrition Facts:
Pancetta Is Used in Various Dishes Such As:
- Spaghetti carbonara
- Poached eggs, Pancetta, and spinach toast
- Bucatiniall’Amatriciana
- Nectarine and fig summer salad with crispy Pancetta
- Lentil soup with crisp Pancetta
Due to specific reasons such as lifestyle, health, and beliefs, we would be talking about suitable Pancetta substitutes in your meals.
Substitute for Pancetta
Prosciutto
Prosciutto is gotten from the hind leg of a pig. It is a light pink fatty cut of the jowl of salted ham. It has a very smooth, soft, and buttery feel. Unlike Pancetta, which is only salt-cured and processed in high temperatures, prosciutto is salt-cured and air-dried for months. This procedure makes prosciutto safer to consume, and it doesn’t have to be cooked before eating. It can be eaten raw.
Prosciutto is a good substitute for Pancetta for those who wish to have that thin crispy delicacy to garnish their meals with but are scared of the health consequences of consuming Pancetta. Its salty taste and silky-buttery texture are similar to that of Pancetta. Prosciutto can be wrapped around fresh fruit, garnish salads, or cooked as part of a cheese and meat dish.
Bacon
Bacon is a dark pink colored meat also gotten from the belly of pork. The procedure for obtaining bacon is, however, different from Pancetta. Bacon is salted and then smoked afterward. This then creates a very savory-earthy/smoky flavor. Pancetta is not smoked during processing; therefore, it has no smoky flavor. If you wish to achieve the exact flavor pancetta gives to dishes, it is advised to blanch the bacon before adding it to your dish. The fat content is bacon is similar to that of Pancetta. However, during blanching, some of the fat in bacon is lost. Nevertheless, it is the best substitute for Pancetta in dishes.
Beef Bacon
For anyone who does not eat pork for one reason or the other, you can substitute Pancetta with beef. Beef bacon is also sold as smoked beef blades. When selecting beef bacon, make sure to choose a fatty one. This is because Pancetta is made of pork belly, which is high in fat. To achieve the fatty flavoring and taste in your dish, beef bacon will do just fine.
Fat is one prominent feature of pancetta dishes; to remove the beef’s smokiness, blanch it for nothing more than three minutes. Anything more than this will reduce the fat in the meat, and you do not want that. Beef bacon is also a good option for kosher or halal dishes since it is not from pork.
Full-flavoured Olives
This is for vegetarians. Full-flavored olives are an excellent substitute for pancetta cubes when preparing vegetarian meals. They are salted and provide some meatiness to the dish. If the word you are preparing requires more of the Pancetta’s fat than the taste and flavor, olives will do just fine. This is because olives contain 10-15% of monounsaturated fat, which is a very healthy option for you.
Seitan
This is chewy wheat gluten gotten from flour. Its texture is closer to meat than any other vegan product. Seitan can be found in most health food stores. It serves as a good substitute for Pancetta in vegan dishes as well. Author Makini Howell uses seitan in some recipes where he fries and uses it in dishes. One of them includes; Avocado salad with seitan bites.[
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is healthier, bacon, or prosciutto?
Prosciutto is healthier than bacon. This is because prosciutto is lower in calories and fat than bacon.
What is the difference between Pancetta and bacon?
Bacon is smoked, and Pancetta is salt-cured. Bacon also comes from other animals and not pork alone. Pancetta can be eaten raw, but not bacon. It must be cooked first.
Is Prosciutto processed meat?
No, it is not. Strict legal standards make prosciutto. It is not smoked or preserved with nitrates. It is salt-cured and air-dried for many months (at least one year). The meat will need to go through other processes before it can be regarded as processed, and it is indicated on the pack, so always check.
Conclusion
There are many reasons a person may want a substitute for Pancetta. It could be due to health reasons, the state of being vegetarian, or for religious reasons. I have tried to capture these needs in this article. I hope you found this helpful.