Pancetta

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp curing salt

Instructions:

1. Trim the pork belly, removing any excess skin or bone.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, black pepper, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, salt, sugar, and curing salt.
3. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork belly, making sure to cover all sides.
4. Place the seasoned pork belly in a large resealable bag and refrigerate for 7-10 days, flipping the bag every other day.
5. After 7-10 days, remove the pork belly from the bag and rinse off any excess spices.
6. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Place the pork belly on a baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Once cooked, remove the pancetta from the oven and let it cool for 15-30 minutes.
9. Wrap the pancetta tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
10. To serve, thinly slice the pancetta and cook in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy. Enjoy on sandwiches, in pasta dishes, or as a topping for salads.