If you love bold, fiery flavours, you need to meet ‘Nduja (pronounced ‘n-doo-ea’) a spicy spreadable salami paste from Calabria, the southern Italian region famed for its hot and vibrant cuisine.
What is ‘Nduja?
‘Nduja is a soft spicy creamy salami paste made from pork meat with a striking bright red color and sold in vacuum-packed sausages, traditionally created in the small Calabrian town of Spilinga .
A Bit of History
The origin of the name ‘Nduja is debated, but it is thought to come from French influence. During the Napoleonic period in the early 1800s, a similar French sausage called Andouille may have been introduced to Calabria.
10 Delicious Ways to Use ‘Nduja
-
Spread on Pizza – Add dollops before baking for a fiery, flavorful twist.
-
Stir into Pasta – Mix with olive oil or tomato sauce for an instant spicy pasta sauce.
-
Bruschetta Topping – Spread on toasted bread with a drizzle of olive oil.
-
Mix with Ricotta – Balance the heat by combining with fresh ricotta for a creamy spread.
-
Enhance Omelets or Scrambled Eggs – Add a small spoonful for a spicy breakfast upgrade.
-
Flavour Roasted Vegetables – Toss roasted peppers, zucchini, or cauliflower with a bit of ‘Nduja.
-
Spicy Sandwiches – Spread on bread or baguettes for a bold lunchtime kick.
-
Add to Soups or Stews – Stir in a little to enrich the flavor and add warmth.
-
Stuffed in Meatballs or Burgers – Mix into ground meat for spicy, aromatic meat dishes.
-
Garnish Baked Beans – Stir a small amount in just before serving for an Italian twist on comfort food.

(8 votes, average: 4.88 out of 5)
3 Comments
‘Nduja is one of my favorite things! Recently made a pasta using it, and a shrimp dish as well. There’s so many ways to use this versatile “sausage.“ It’s not as easy to get in the United States, and what we can get here isn’t as good as what we can get in Europe, but it’s still fantastic quite good! when we were in London, we bought some from a small Italian store and it was the spiciest, hottest thing I’ve ever eaten! I used it to make risotto, and we were both practically in tears… But happy tears!
I ordered one for my next specialty shop on Jan 7th!
Great news! I hope you’ll enjoy it 😉
Leave a Reply