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Mortadella Bella!

September 17, 2012 by orvietoorbust

As far back as I can remember I loved baloney sandwiches! My childhood obsession was so famous that family, friends, and neighbors referred to me as “Toni Baloney”. Undaunted by the nickname, I was actually quite proud to be so closely associated with my favorite pink, slippery and quintessentially American cold cut. After all, “Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A.”

But as it happens, I grew up and had my first taste of baloney’s sophisticated Italian cousin, Mortadella, and I was a goner! My boloney-eating days were over – this smooth, sweet and spicy, pistachio-filled deli roll is the “caviar” of lunchmeat.

I haven’t been to Bologna, Italy yet, but I am planning my pilgrimage once I’m settled in Orvieto. The city of Bologna is famous for this finely ground, heat-cured pork salumi, produced there since the 14^th century. Suspected to have originally been a Roman sausage, Mortadella di Bologna has achieved the epitome of food recognition – it has a Protected Geological Indication status designated by the European Union to preserve the regional names of products. In strict accordance with these delicious guidelines, a classic Mortadella di Bologna must be prepared with 15% evenly distributed squares of fat, no preservatives, fillers, or additives. Naturale!

When in Italy I will be living-off Mortadella’s mouth-watering yumminess. I’ll eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and as a bedtime snack. I’ll eat it between two pieces of bread, thinly sliced “as is” with a glass of wine, cubed, fried, moussed and spread, and stuffed into tortellini. Any way you slice it…Mortadella e’ bella!

P.S. I’m thinking of changing my nickname. How does “Toni DeMortadellaBella” grab you?

by Toni DeBella

Posted in Expat in Italy, Food in Italy, Italy, Living in Italy, Orvieto, Travel, Umbria | Tagged baloney, Bologna, bologna italy, European Union, Italy, Mortadella, Mortadella di Bologna, Oscar Mayer Bologna, Protected Geological Indication, salumi | 22 Comments

22 Responses

on September 17, 2012 at 12:32 pm | Reply newmexicotoitaly

Great post! And indeed Bologna deserves a pilgrimage (or two…or three)!
- on September 17, 2012 at 12:37 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Thanks! And I am enjoying your journey in Firenze! toni
on September 17, 2012 at 12:39 pm | Reply kayrpea61

Hi Toni, we so enjoyed our visit to Orvieto. Found a local restaturant in Orvieto Scalo where the antipasto was superb, and the Vitello al Limone as tender as could be. After two visits, the owner/ waiter even tolerated our bad Italian (because, for the first time, our bad Italian was better than his bad English). Our hostess at a smallish Albergo was amazing, as were her selection of cakes for breakfast! Ciao
- on September 17, 2012 at 12:43 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Super to hear you enjoyed your trip! Yes, it’s really all about the food and the relationships we connect to, as a result. Hugs. Toni
on September 17, 2012 at 12:48 pm | Reply deniseblackman

I like the new nickname! Very catchy. Of course ‘Cugina” is my fav!
- on September 17, 2012 at 12:49 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Hi, we can keep cugina between us…xxoo t
on September 17, 2012 at 1:03 pm | Reply Debra Kolkka

You will love Bologna. It is one of my favourite cities in Italy.
- on September 17, 2012 at 2:37 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Hi Debra, Really? Looking forward to seeing it. I hear it is very special. t
  - on September 17, 2012 at 2:58 pm deniseblackman
    
    Its one of my Italian cousins favorites too.
on September 17, 2012 at 5:57 pm | Reply Gian Banchero

Ah, dear Toni De Mortadellabella, really nothing better than the flavor and scent of true bologna… Years ago in Verona I had a pizza that was topped with one slice of bologna as large as the pizza, delicious… If you ever see it on a menu order it, delicious!! Since my name is pronounced John my father used to call me Johnny Salami…
on September 17, 2012 at 5:59 pm | Reply orvietoorbust

Gianni salami meets Toni Baloney…love it! Thanks for the recommendation. I WILL order that pizza the first I see it. hugs. toni
on September 17, 2012 at 6:12 pm | Reply Carol Solfanelli

Just so you know, I won’t be serving baloney for dinner when you come! 🙂 Hope you don’t mind.
- on September 17, 2012 at 6:31 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  ahhhhhh!!!! hugs.t
on September 17, 2012 at 7:59 pm | Reply janinevasta

Too cute Toni!!!! Who’s in a good mood these days??? I love this post. So upbeat. I couldn’t claim quite your levels of passion for the pink meat, but good mortadella between two slices of real Italian bread, eaten perched on the edge of a piazza somewhere watching the world go by is hard to beat. Bacioni!!!!!
- on September 17, 2012 at 10:41 pm | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Do I sound too over-the-top perky? Oops. Oh well, I guess I can’t hide my enthusiasm for mortadella and the land that invented it! What do you love that makes you all giddy??? Hugs. t
on September 19, 2012 at 5:29 am | Reply Linda Chapman

Love it, love it; makes my mouth water just reading about it. Wish I could find Italy’s real thing Mortadella in the states. If you know where it is availabe, please email to me; or I can be a stow-a-way on your journey to the best food nation in the world. So glad I found your blog. I love it; pure Italian and that is the best anything can be. Italy is my final destination place; once there, nothing can tear me away.
- on September 19, 2012 at 7:43 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  Lindadella.? Thanks for the kind words. I am glad you found me too. …and about the pink stuff. I don’t know where you live, but I get mine at deli counters, especially Italian markets. Even Safeway carries it. Make sure you ask if it’s Mortadella di Bologna and not a domestic version. Trader Joe’s has it pre-packaged sometimes (but it might be the domestic). Keep in touch. Perhaps I will see you “on the other side” soon. Toni
on September 19, 2012 at 8:57 am | Reply lindyloumacinitaly

there are many different kinds which should keep you happy for awhile 🙂
- on September 20, 2012 at 7:10 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  You’d think..:) t
on September 20, 2012 at 1:42 am | Reply Margaret Leon

WHEN do you arrive in Orvieto…

On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 9:29 PM, Orvieto or Bust: wrote:

> ** > orvietoorbust posted: “ As far back as I > can remember I loved baloney sandwiches! My childhood obsession was so > famous that family, friends, and neighbors referred to me as �Toni > Baloney�. Undaun”
- on September 20, 2012 at 7:09 am | Reply orvietoorbust
  
  November 1st!!! ci prendiamo caffè insieme? t
on September 27, 2012 at 9:46 am | Reply annie2000

Sounds like a great name since you like Mortadella so much 🙂 🙂

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