What is red and white and delicious all over?

(And kind of rhymes with Pinnochio?)

I've never been a huge fan of salami. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love an Italian grinder as much as the next girl, but generally, cured meats aren't that fun to eat. They are hard and chewy and salty. Plus, that smooth, unctuous film of what is usually pork fat on every slice makes it hard to deny how much cholesterol you're ingesting. (You know I'm not such a stickler about avoiding unhealthy foods, but still...salami always gives me a touch of heartburn.)

All that being said, I'd read a lot about Salumi and have been wanting to check it out. I picked up one of their sandwiches yesterday and I think I can safely say that it was the best salami sandwich I've ever had. At $9 it wasn't cheap, but at the same time, I think they put about a half a pound of meat on there, not to mention two thick slices of fresh mozzarella, a heaping spoonful of onions and peppers, and two different types of dressing, one garlic and the other pesto. This all sandwiched in a luscious foccaccia-type roll, which was nearly the circumference of my face. So, in that context, it was actually a pretty good deal. And to boot, I stretched it across lunch AND dinner.

I ordered some of their famous proscuitto which I'll pick up later today. They make a lamb proscuitto which sounds very intriguing, but it's pricy ($26/lb) and they were out of it anyway. I think maybe I'll try to get some next year to include in an Easter feast. For now, I'm looking forward to trying the pork variety. I've made it in omelets and also in a chicken-arugula-hazelnut roulade sort of thing. I'd like to try it with seafood, either as a wrap on scallops or halibut. Got any favorite proscuitto preparations?