Cold cuts and salami are a big part of Italian cuisine. Consumed with a variety of accompanying dishes and in a wide range of ways, there’s always something new to try. Traditional and local salumi are one of many productions you can look into when travelling through Italy, and each region likely has its own unique products. And depending on the time of year you find yourself vacationing to the Country, there are many things you can try: melone with prosciutto, carpaccio with bresaola, grana cheese shards and arugula leaves, or even just a simple panino with salame, or a platter of cold cuts with mostarda. If you are staying in Florence, here are some places you can visit for a taste tour of the different kinds and varieties of Prosciutto and salumi that can be found in Tuscany.
Salumificio Anzuini
The Salumificio Anzuini is a deli that has been providing clients with excellent salumi ever since the 1920s, sourcing their meats from the best local farms. It started as a pork meat processing establishment, but it now provides many types of artisanal, homemade salami and cold-cuts such as Salame Toscano, Fiocco di Spalla, Prosciutto, Capocollo, Salamella and salame with fennel seeds. They can be enjoyed at two Anzuini locations in Florence: the main store is the Norcineria Anzuini in via Faentina, where you can find all of their products as well as local wines and more; at the historic location in via De’ Neri 84/r you’ll find the Antica Macelleria Salumificio Anzuini, a restaurant and store where you can enjoy all types of salumi available, as well as purchase them. Here you can also try an excellent Bistecca Fiorentina, a must-have of Florence, Tuscany and Italy! Wash it down with some Chianti red wine and don’t forget to buy edible souvenirs: the choice is varied and there will be some type of salume to fit the tastes of everyone.
Antica Macelleria Falorni
Halfway between Florence and Siena, in the town of Greve in Chianti, you’ll find this deli-restaurant with a long family tradition, dating back to the 1800s. For 9 generations, they’ve been producing, selling and showcasing the excellence in cold cuts; the family has a private farm and their products merge high-quality pork meat and expertise to achieve a wide range of salumi with PGI status, which follow the Tuscan tradition of handmade, artisanal cold cuts. The Falorni family chooses the best breeds of pigs for their products, which can be purchased and sampled at their location in Piazza G. Matteotti 71, in Greve in Chianti. Here you’ll find a deli counter, to buy sliced samples of their products, a shop where you can buy salami and prosciutti, and a bistro, a small restaurant where you can have a unique dining experience, surrounded by tradition. The menu can be find on the Antica Macelleria Falorni’s website, and features cold cuts platters, bruschetta bread, soups, sandwiches and desserts, all paired with local wines.
La Prosciutteria
This quaint, unique deli is located in Florence, in via De’ Neri 54rosso. It doubles as a shop and as a self-service restaurant, for a completely interesting experience. The brand has locations in other major Italian cities, but the first shop to open was this one, in Florence, and it sources its meats and cold cuts from local farms and butcheries. Close to the Museo degli Uffizi, it’s the perfect place to stop for a quick meal and to buy some salami for the road. Platters with a cold cuts selection, bruschetta bread with sauces and a trickle of local olive oil, sandwiches of all kinds and a selection of traditional cheeses await you, followed by a nice glass of Tuscan red wine. Completely affordable and totally perfect even as a snack or appetizer – although perhaps not the lightest choice if you’re on a diet!
Casa del Prosciutto
The Casa del Prosciutto is a traditional Italian restaurant, also called a “trattoria” and offers a wide menu filled with excellent dishes of the Italian and Tuscan tradition. Located in Fiesole, in the town of Torre di Buiano, it’s a favourite of tourists and locals, with excellent reviews that are completely justified by the quality and choice offered in this establishments. Here you’ll be able to sample many types of cold cuts, salami, prosciutto – all served in an enticing platter with bread and other local productions. Don’t miss out on the exquisite Fiorentina while you’re here, and try other dishes with meat, like the pasta options. They also have a sizeable wine selection, so you can pair the best red or white wine with your meal, for an enhanced dining experience. It’s your best bet if you want to eat in a traditional environment while also enjoying local salumi.