Cotechino Modena

Cotechino Modena is a traditional Italian sausage, originating from the city of Modena, in the region of Emilia-Romagna. It is a raw sausage, made from pork, fatback, and pork rind, and is typically served after being boiled for several hours.

History

The origins of Cotechino Modena date back to the 16th century, when it was first created by the farmers of Modena as a way to utilize all parts of the pig. The sausage quickly became a staple in the local cuisine, and is now enjoyed throughout Italy and beyond.

Preparation and Serving

Cotechino Modena is made by grinding together pork, fatback, and pork rind, and then stuffing this mixture into a natural casing. The sausage is then aged for several weeks before it is ready to be cooked.

To prepare Cotechino Modena, it is typically boiled for several hours. This slow cooking process allows the fat in the sausage to melt, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.

Cotechino Modena is traditionally served with lentils on New Year's Eve, as this combination is believed to bring good luck for the coming year. However, it can also be enjoyed with a variety of other accompaniments, such as mashed potatoes or polenta.

Protected Geographical Indication

In 2001, Cotechino Modena was awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status by the European Union. This means that only sausages produced in the Modena region, and according to specific production rules, can be legally sold as Cotechino Modena.

See Also

• Italian cuisine
• List of sausages
• List of Italian DOP products