You may be thinking, “Salumi? They must have spelled salami wrong.” It’s normal. However, these two words have very different meanings.
Salumi is the branch of all the preserved and cured meats. This includes Prosciutto, Mortadella, Capicola, Bresaola, Lardo and of course, Salami. In Italy, you will find a “Salumeria” throughout its towns and cities. These are shops that sell Salumi.
Salami, on the other hand, is the most popular of all the types of Salumi. There are different types of Salami. Genoa, Felino, Pepperoni, Toscano, Finnochiona (fennel) and Sopressata to name a few.
Here is a good example that will bring it all together. Our Gaetano sandwich has three types of salumi in it: Mortadella, Capicola and Salami (Genoa salami to be exact).
So, the next time your at a friends house and they are serving a platter of mixed cured meats, you can complement them on their “delicious salumi platter!”
Time to order lunch? The Gaetano sandwich is calling your name!
