Whats the closest we have to Italian Panchetta bacon?

HappyIdiotTalk

Which English bacon is closest to Italian panchetta? My italian friend says that in Italy they only have one type of bacon, so I was wondering which of ours would be closest, or whether I could reproduce it somehow. He wants some to make carbonara with.

Many thanks.

Pink.

Hi HappyIdiotTalk,

According to the BBC website 'thinly sliced, unsmoked, streaky bacon rashers will make a suitable substitute'.

Personally for carbonara I would think unsmoked lardons might be better.

Pink

Queenie

If you are going to substitute with an unsmoked streaky, then do look for a "dry cured" bacon. Most of the bacon sold today is pumped with salted water and won't give a good result. Sainsbury's currently have an offer on their dry cured bacon's. It's a bit more expensive, but well worth it!

If you have a Lidl, Aldi, Netto, they are usually good places for locating cured meats such as panchetta and will most likely be cheaper than anywhere else.

HappyIdiotTalk

Queenie wrote: »

If you are going to substitute with an unsmoked streaky, then do look for a "dry cured" bacon. Most of the bacon sold today is pumped with salted water and won't give a good result. Sainsbury's currently have an offer on their dry cured bacon's. It's a bit more expensive, but well worth it!

If you have a Lidl, Aldi, Netto, they are usually good places for locating cured meats such as panchetta and will most likely be cheaper than anywhere else.

I have a Lidl, dont recall seeing any Panchetta, but I'll take a closer look next time I go there. They do have a very good and cheap parma ham though.

Fivenations

Good, dry, unsmoked fatty bacon is a good substitute. Pancetta is mildly spiced but is still just salted, cured pork.