A mysterious package arrived by post yesterday from our friend Mr. Poggi in Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy.  It was heavy. We thought it might be a bottle of his wine or maybe another encyclopedia-sized slab of pancetta. It turned out to be “Zampone Cotto,” a typical Modenese preparation of minced pork cooked in the skin of the pig’s foreleg – “in the paws of pigs” as it is described in Italy.

Mr. Poggi (left) and Dave

Often found on Italian tables during the Christmas and New Year holidays, “trotters” are traditionally served with lentils, stewed beans, mashed potatoes or buttered spinach, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and a sparkling red Lambrusco. Grazie, Mr. Poggi!