Ciccioli facts for kids

This is a plate of ciccioli, which are like pork rinds.

Ciccioli are a traditional Italian snack or food made from fatty parts of pork. Imagine a savory, crispy treat that comes from leftover pieces of pork! This food is very popular in many parts of Italy, especially in regions like Emilia-Romagna, where you'll find it in cities such as Modena and Bologna.

Depending on where you are in Italy, ciccioli might have a different name. For example, in Naples, they are called cicoli, and in Lazio, they are known as sfrizzoli.

How are Ciccioli Made?

Making ciccioli is a special process that uses fatty pieces of pork. These pieces are cooked, then pressed to remove extra liquid and fat. This pressing helps to make them firm and tasty.

The Pressing Process

The pork scraps are often wrapped in a special cloth and then slowly squeezed over several weeks. This gentle squeezing helps to get rid of any extra liquid, making the ciccioli just right.

Different Kinds of Ciccioli

You can find ciccioli in two main forms:

• Wet and Sliced: Some ciccioli are prepared to be softer, so they can be sliced and served like a cold cut.
• Dry and Crunchy: Others are made very dry and crispy, almost like a chip! These are often called "ciccioli frolli" and are a popular crunchy snack.

Ciccioli are also a byproduct of making strutto, which is a type of pork fat used in cooking. When strutto is made, the leftover fatty bits become ciccioli.

More About Pork Snacks

If you like ciccioli, you might also be interested in other similar foods:

• Čvarci: A similar snack popular in some Eastern European countries.
• Fatback: A cut of pork that is mostly fat, often used to make things like ciccioli.