When Domenico and I were in Venice a few weeks ago, wandering through the Rialto market, we kept seeing haunches of cured meat hanging in all the butcher shops. I’d never noticed them before, in all the times I’d been to Venice. So I went in to investigate.
The butcher told me that they were castradina, a Venetian specialty. Since it was a Saturday, he was sort of rushed, and was a bit bothered by our questions. He hurriedly explained that it was a leg of lamb that had been soaked in salt water for a few weeks, then smoked.
Sounded good to me.
The butcher whacked one in half, wrapped it and sent us on our way with a xeroxed recipe.
It wasn’t until much later that evening, over dinner at Corte Sconta, that I got the full castradina. story from the restaurant’s owner. As it turns out the reason I’d never seen castradina before was because it’s only eaten on one day a year: November 21. The day of the Madonna della Salute. And since I’d never been in Venice in November before, it was completely off my radar.
Pilgrims would come from all over, including Eastern Europe, to pay homage to the Madonna della Salute. After traveling all that way, they would be offered a warming bowl of soup, which included castradina.
“We only make it one day of the year,” she said, “But it’s not that hard, you can definitely make it at home.”
And it wasn’t hard at all, although the several steps took a few days to complete. It’s definitely hearty peasant food, made to warm you after a wet November day on your way to pay homage to a saint. But it’s not nearly as heavy as it sounds, since the bulk of the soup is actually meat broth and cabbage.
What it really reminded me of, of course, was corn beef and cabbage. Which I guess it kind of was. Except it was lamb, not beef. And Venetian, not Irish
Ok, it wasn’t like Corn Beef and Cabbage. But it was very good.
Castradina
1 leg of prepared Castradina*
1 onion
2 carrots
2 stalks celery
1 potato
1 tsp black peppercorns
Cabbage:
1 head of cabbage
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
Crusty loaf of bread
Rinse the lamb off, and place it in a big pot of cold water. Bring to a boil, and let cook for 20 minutes. Throw out the water, and let the lamb cool off. Gently peel off the fatty skin layer of the lamb.
Place the meat back in the rinsed pot, along with the onion, carrot, celery, potato and pepper corns. Fill with water and bring to a simmer. Let cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Gently take out the lamb and set aside. Strain out the seasonings from the broth and place the broth over night in the fridge. The next day, take off the fat that has risen to the surface.
Cabbage:
Place the olive oil in a saute pan, and gently heat. Add onion, and cook until wilted.
Cut the cabbage into 1/2 inch ribbons. Add to the pan, with salt and let cook with the onion, till very soft. About an hour. If it seems like it is getting dried out, you can add a bit of the meat broth.
To serve:
Slice the bread, and toast one slice per person. Place bread at bottom of bowl. Top with a few big spoonfuls of cabbage.
Heat up both the meat and meat broth.
Top cabbage with a few pieces of meat. Then ladle on the broth.
*Ok. I realize that you may not be able to get castradina. But I’m thinking this would be good with almost any cut of smoked meat. Give it a go, and let me know how it turns out.
Debaser
Looks great. Can you suggest some specific smoked meats to substitute? Ham, country ham? And/or I’m in NYC, do you think anywhere would have castradina?
Elizabeth Minchilli
I’d try some kind of ham or corned beef or pastrami. If you do, let me know how it turns out!
AdriBarr
I love this – it is totally new to me. Thanks, Elizabeth!
Lost in Provence
Elizabeth, I am going to say something that might sound a little off but I mean it well–that while I was in the States, I missed reading your posts with a glass of wine! In France they always arrive at the end of my day at the computer, with the apero. This is a prime example of that but it is also torturous to read when I am so hungry!
Did Wijnand end up staying with you in Rome? I would love to know! He is such a peach. My email is [email protected] if you prefer to let me know privately.
All my Best from a coooold Provence,
Heather
Elizabeth Minchilli
Yes, I know, there is a time difference going on there. I figure most people in the States are reading my blog as a way to avoid work in the middle of the day (and so a great escape)
No, sadly Wijnand didn’t stop by. He was coming through Rome at a time we weren’t going to be here. Also, he was travelling with some one, which would have made it difficult for us.
Lost in Provence
Oh that is right, I read that he had a journalist with him! Bummer as I think that you would have loved to have met him. But that was great you were willing. 🙂
And yes, a happy work escape works wonders too.
diary of a tomato
What a serendipitous find! It serves to remind me how one can revisit Italy countless times and still discover something new, even in the same place!
Ann Mah
Wow this is truly fascinating — not to mention serendipitous. Imagine if you HADN’T been there on Nov 21? Perish the thought! Note to self: Plan late-November trip to Venice…
Anonymous
I was just thinking that pastrami would probably be faaaaaaaab. Or — oooh — smoked tongue. Yes please.
Elizabeth Minchilli
I would love to hear how it turns out with pastrami!
saare-snowqueen
Up here in the north, we have a lot of smoked meat available. Next time I go into town, I’ll see what my Meat Lady has on offer. Report later. God knows we’ve got enough cabbage