Feral Pig

Watch your fat back, bacon! There's another cheeky slice making the scene whose sole, plump purpose in your kitchen is to turn sow's ears into silky, succulent purses. Originally a delicacy in Umbria, La Quercia's Iowa-bred meat is simply seasoned with rosemary, black and white pepper, and sea salt. It's a traditional staple that you'll want to keep on hand once you've tried it. Depending on how you're using guanciale, you may want it sliced thinly or whole to cut into chunks. With that in mind, we'll ship you a 1/2 pound piece whole that you can slice at home with a sharp chef's knife or cut into chunks. Since it's so rich, it pairs well with big red wines that can stand up to the flavors it deepens. It's best used in cooking, particularly traditional Italian favorites like spaghetti alla carbonara and pasta all'amatriciana, and adds an extra-luxurious texture to sauces and stews.

Hot legs are a desirable attribute for many-a species and well-bred swine are no exception. Herb and Kathy Eckhouse take fully aged legs of Prosciutto Americano and rub them down with a balanced blend of fennel, sea salt, and red chilies that deepens the meat's earthy sweetness. The heat is subtle, and deserves to be paired with one-of-a-kind cheeses, like Mahon Curado and Zimbro. These sheep milk cheeses have extra edge that creates some complexity on the palate, especially when given a boost by the meat's chili spice. It's an ideal tapas meat to include on a spread with marcona almonds, sheep cheeses, and grilled sardines. A combination of traditional craftsmanship and regional flavor, this addition to La Quercia's line of dry cured meats exemplifies their motto: 'American made, American inspired cured meats.' We say: keep those hot legs coming our way!

Suckling lamb (aka sucking lamb, milk-fed lamb, cordero lechal) is a highly prized delicacy in Spain, France, and Italy. Most often slow roasted on the bone, suckling lamb meat is particularly moist, tender & succulent, with a mild flavor. It’s particularly associated with spring in Europe – especially Easter banquets, but is delicious year round. These whole lambs are sold cut into eight sections in the Spanish style. New potatoes are the most traditional side dish for roast suckling lamb. Try sauteing or roasting them in some of the rendered lamb fat!