If you’re wondering how long ‘Nduja lasts in the fridge, read on to find out. This spicy spreadable sausage is an excellent source of protein and heat, and you can even freeze it for later use! Here are some tips to remember when storing ‘Nduja in the fridge. Generally, it will stay fresh for a month in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that it will become harder after a month.
What is Nduja?
‘Nduja is a product of pork sausage that has been heavily seasoned, salty, and spicy. Its intensely flavorful porkiness and funky fermented flavor make it incredibly adaptable and crave-worthy. ‘Nduja is a staple of all Italian cooking and is flavored with Calabrian peppers, another of Southern Italy’s culinary treasures.
You can get ‘Nduja in a jar to be scooped or in a tube that can be cut apart and spread. Nduja is a versatile condiment that can be used practically everywhere you want subtle, salty spice. It is not simply a log of delectable umami excellent for spreading on bread.
Like most salumi and sausage varieties, ‘Nduja is prepared from leftover scraps and fat from other meat cuts to flavor the less-than-stellar cuts. The production of ‘Nduja is an excellent way for farmers and butchers to use every part of the pig and create excellent food out of ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.
How Long does Nduja Last in the Fridge?
Nduja keeps fresh in the fridge for a year after being closed. Once opened, store it tightly wrapped in an airtight jar, bag, or container, and it will keep for up to 4 months in your refrigerator.
Due to its excellent flavor and your desire to use it in everything you prepare, I don’t think you’ll be able to keep it around that long. Nduja is undoubtedly among the flavor enhancers I prefer to keep on hand in my kitchen, along with chili paste and stock.
Nduja is a fermented, salt- and chili-seasoned preserved pork. It was created so that the meat would remain fresh even without refrigeration. Once the packet is opened, it is usually safer to store it in the refrigerator, but you should be able to keep it for a month (check what it says on the packet). You can freeze it if you are moving through it too slowly.
Whether it be a refrigerator or a freezer, As much as you can, make sure it is snugly wrapped to keep out the air. The cut surface of your ‘nduja may have somewhat browned after a few weeks in the refrigerator as a result of lipid oxidation. Cut it off if you notice a difference; if not, continue using it as is.
How to Make Nduja?
First, typical ingredients for “nduja” include:
- Ham’s belly
- Pork chops
- Chilli sauce
- Chipotle sauce Chili pepper
- Store-bought ‘nduja could also include extra components including paprika, other flavors, and preservatives in addition to salt.
- Additionally, lactic-acid starter cultures may or may not be used in nduja products. This component hastens the aging process and hinders the growth of dangerous germs.
Method
- The pork meat is first ground and then combined with salt, pepper sauce, and chili peppers.
- The contents are carefully combined before being put into a sausage casing, often formed from the intestines.
- After the mixture has been safely inserted into the casing, the casing is punctured with a needle many times to create tiny air holes.
- The ‘Nduja sausages are then allowed to mature for 12 hours at room temperature.
- The ‘Nduja then spends the next four weeks maturing in a refrigerator.
- After four weeks, the ‘Nduja is prepared for usage.
- ‘Nduja has a spreadable consistency because the end product contains significant volumes of ground and cured hog fat.
- ‘Nduja is a spicy and savory food that combines chili peppers and raw, cured pork.
How to Use ‘Nduja?
Compared to cured meats with a solid texture like chorizo and prosciutto, nduja is slightly different.
It is typically a flavor-enhancing complement to a dish or used as a spread rather than being presented with wine and a cheese platter.
Here are a few examples of typical applications for ‘nduja.
- Nduja is a fantastic flavorful element for soups and stews, adding a slight spiciness.
- This method of using the spread works exceptionally well in soups that contain meat, and it also works well in stews that contain flavors-absorbent foods, such as potatoes.
- This recipe for “chicken, chorizo, and nduja in one pot” illustrates how to use nduja.
- Nduja has become more and more popular as a pizza topping.
- Pizza gets something a little unusual and spicy in contrast to the cheese and tomato by adding a few blobs of the paste.
- Anyone interested in making ‘nduja and mozzarella pizza can find a tasty-sounding recipe on the BBC.
Pancake Filling
A sandwich can be made considerably more pleasurable by including some ‘nduja.
This spicy spread gives standard sandwich fillings a lot more flavor when combined with them.
Spread on Beef and Chicken
We can top meat and poultry with ‘nduja, just as we can spread it on bread.
This can enhance the flavor of generally bland meat, like chicken breast.
Nduja Mayo
Mixing some ‘nduja with mayo gives things a little extra flavor for people who enjoy something a little spicy.
This is a quick and easy condiment to make, whether using store-bought or homemade mayo.
What are the Adverse Effects of Consuming Nduja?
On the downside, ‘Nduja will have a high salt content, like other cured beef products.
All ‘Nduja recipes call for a substantial amount of salt for curing. However, the precise amount will vary from brand to brand.
Therefore, people on low-sodium diets may want to restrict their ‘Nduja intake or at the very least talk to their medical team about it.
Additionally, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are used in several ‘Nduja products.
These two preservatives may produce nitrosamines while the product is curing. These substances are thought to cause human cancer.
According to a meta-analysis of extensive cohort and case-control studies, dietary nitrites and (especially) nitrosamine intake increased the risk of gastric cancer.
However, the researchers cautioned that additional high-quality research is required because the database is insufficient for drawing firm conclusions.
What does Nduja Taste Like?
Nduja is a pig product; hence, it has a particularly meaty flavor. The aromatics of the numerous herbs and spices accompany the mouthwatering pork flavor, adding to its depth and complexity. With dominant earthy and neutral tones that go superbly with carbohydrates like bread and spaghetti, it is a beautiful fusion of spice, salt, and umami.
Since it is a very soft salume that is wonderfully spreadable and simple to incorporate during the cooking process, the spread has a texture almost identical to butter.
You can either go all out and serve a dollop of Nduja on top of some delectable bread or add a tiny bit of it to your cuisine for just a dash of spice.
Where can I Find Nduja?
Nduja was once a rare Italian sausage specialty, but it has recently gained popularity in the general culinary world. It is widely used on a variety of foods at restaurants, and you might even be able to purchase some at your neighborhood grocery store.
Online and at an Italian food market, you will undoubtedly discover some.
Look for genuine products when searching for nice Nduja to buy. Ideally, you should get a product that contains the fewest chemicals, preservatives, and only a few essential elements. To create Nduja, you only need salt, pork, and Calabrian chilies for the spice.
What are the Health Benefits of Nduja?
We now understand what “Nduja paste” is and how it works. But does it have any advantages? Or will it only increase your costs without being necessary? Let’s investigate:
Origin of Protein
Spreadable salami is a protein source for those struggling to meet their daily requirements because it is a cured meat product. Including ‘Nduja in your diet can be helpful if you regularly exercise.
Selenium and Vitamin B ‘Nduja is a good sources of both. As we all know, selenium is a vital mineral for our bodies that controls metabolism and functions as a potent antioxidant. And a well-known substance known as vitamin B aids in developing red blood cells.
Capsaicin
The high pepper level in “Nduja” offers the consumer several health advantages in addition to helping to preserve the meat. For instance, red peppers’ capsaicin is well known for having anti-inflammatory effects that may lower the risk of heart disease. Motivated individuals can also be an excellent stimulant for weight loss.
Some would even contend that this edible’s spicy flavor gives you a boost of energy after eating it. It can make you feel more lively by increasing your body temperature.
Conclusion
After being sealed, nduja keeps fresh for a year in the refrigerator. It will last up to 4 months in your refrigerator if you store it tightly wrapped and in an airtight jar, bag, or container after it has been opened.
I don’t think you’ll be able to keep it around that long with its superb flavor and your urge to use it in everything you cook. Nduja, along with stock and chili paste, is unquestionably one of the flavor-enhancing ingredients I like to have on hand in my kitchen.
