Salo

Salo is a traditional pork product consisting of non-rendered pork fatback that goes through a process of curing that may involve dry-salting, brining, or boiling. The finished product is a creamy white or pale pink pork fat surrounded by a thin pork rind with a golden-yellow hue and rarely with any meat attached to it.

With a somewhat sweet flavor, the cured pork fatback is sometimes smoked, and it may be seasoned with spices and herbs such as black pepper, paprika, garlic, or thyme, which work both as flavorings and preservatives. Initially a common peasant food, Ukrainian salo has made its way among the most beloved and recognizable foods of the country, and it is often dubbed Ukraine’s national food.

Chilled and thinly sliced salo (either raw or cooked) is commonly paired with bread, onions, garlic, and a glass of gorilka (strong alcoholic beverage) on the side, but it can also be added to various dishes for extra flavor, and it is even available in the form of a dessert such as chocolate-covered salo or salo ice cream.