Fermination

Have you heard about Ukrainian gold? Any true Ukrainian will give you an answer that it is salted fat or “salo”. As a kid I could not stand the idea of eating uncooked fat even though my mom tried to compare it to bacon. Just like most of food grow on you as you get older, I learned to love Ukrainian salted pork when it comes right out of freezer. In our family we typically eat it with bortsch. But one can eat it with just about anything or just enjoy it by itself. Research shows that a small amount of salted pork is actually good for you. It is very an interesting form of preserving food that goes back many centuries.

My first memories of Ukrainian fat are connected to my childhood. My mom found a local farm that sold raw pork fat. They used to deliver it at the back of the church once a week. This church had the best wooden playground that was made as a city with tons of mazes, slides, and castles. Even though I did not care of the salted pork as a product, I was always looking forward joining my mom to pick it up. After a several trials mom has stopped going there as the pork pieces were not uniformed. They were basically trimmings that were good to make lard, but not traditional salted pork. After a while, she switched to traditional grocery stores that carried more uniformed pieces of pork belly.

Who knew that besides being tasty this traditional and culturally significant food in Ukraine and parts of Eastern Europe is actually good for you considering one enjoys it in moderation. For one, salo is mostly made up of monounsaturated and saturated fats, so is it is nutrient-dense source of fats. Besides, it contains oleic acid, the same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil. It provides energy and helps the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Believe it or not salo supports brain and nervous system as cholesterol and omega-9 fatty acids found in salo play a role in maintaining healthy cell membranes and brain function. My dad swears that it helps him balance cholesterol levels as it replaces his harmful trans fats! Who knows maybe he is onto something?

Traditionally consumed in cold climates, salo is a calorie-dense food that provides lasting energy and helps maintain body heat. Next time you are cold, come on over and I will slice you a piece of salo. My dad and I make sure that we always have a stash of salo in the freezer!