6/15/11 - 9/15/11
Project "A" was named for Salame di Alessandra. This sausage is also known as Genoa Salami. In June 2011, nine WD members decided to undertake this 3-month, dry-cured salami project together while keeping accurate notes for comparison and recording their results for the future reference of those yearning to try their hand at making fermented type sausages in the future. The project began on June 15th and ended on September 15th. Participants were required to "sign up" and invest in a certain amount of basic equipment. We fully intended to show our fellow members that quality salami could be crafted without spending a fortune on specialized equipment. Members were asked to make a cabinet for fermenting, purchase a hygrometer and thermometer, cellulose casings, and Bactoferm™ T-SPX starter culture. Members were also asked to read and study a minimal amount of information provided on the homepage by Stan Marianski. Moderator "Chuckwagon" also provided material to be read by those participating. To be fair to participating members, it was requested that the general public refrain from writing in "Project A" after June 15th.
The project was not intended for beginners in the hobby. Crafting dry-cured, fermented, salami requires prior experience in grinding, mixing, stuffing, and other skills honed by good old-fashioned trial and error in making basic sausages such as fresh cased links, cured-smoked-cooked links, and others.
Some of the member`s projects succeeded, others did not. All the members succeeded in providing much information to those who will attempt making dry-cured sausages in the future. All participants should be congratulated for some very fine work and great ingenuity. All indeed succeeded as their information will ultimately be of great value to those just starting out.
Project A is a very valuable learning resource to those trying their hand at it for the first time. As a learner reads through the information, he may simply avoid the mistakes, oversights, and errors made by these pioneers. There is much technical information recorded, along with photos and remarks. Congratulations to the participants are in order. Thank you gentlemen. Your posted information will help others for a long time to come.
My Very Best Wishes,
Chuckwagon
Hello smoke addicts!
I`ve had an idea in mind for some time and would like to have your opinions. Why not make a dry-cured salami TOGETHER? I believe that many of you good folks are hesitating to make the plunge into "fermented type sausage" for several different reasons. I`ve included a few possible "rationalizations" below. Let`s see if you recognize any of them.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
I am proposing that we open a forum topic solely for the purpose of making a batch of dry-cured salami together - with everyone starting at the same point with the same `lack` of equipment, and limited bucks. We`ll take it step-by-step, allowing everyone a few days to view this message and ponder it over. Then there will have to be some time allowed to order Bactoferm and a hygrometer ($14.95) from your supplier. While you`re waiting for the mailman, you could shop for some great beef chuck and some luscious pork butts. We can share information as we go along and discuss each member`s plans for fermenting and curing and then for storing. We`ll have much to talk about and discuss, and no doubt the forum will be fairly active - but shucks, that`s what we really want... lots of participation and input as we go along. We`ll act as a group and do everything together at the same time. For instance, we will all grind the same day and all of us will stuff casings the same day etc. We could exchange ideas and share thoughts until at last, we each have made a properly air-dried salami.
Today at lunch, I sliced off a thick slice of salami and put it on a sandwich. I had just "pulled" it from the storage chamber and found myself thinking, "This is the best salami I`ve ever tasted"... "Why aren`t the folks on the WD Board tasting this quality sausage every single day?" Bragging? Naw! Is Ol` Chuckwagon just makin` noise because he `knows how`? Nope! That`s not it at all. Shucks, it is simply that I bothered to make my own "quality" air-dried product rather than settling for the mass-produced and hurried-along crap they put in the grocery stores these days, made with inferior ingredients. And you can do it too! Heck, why not use real paprika instead of flavoring oil, and real ingredients rather than flavored chemicals? And for goodness sakes, REAL Boston butt and choice fatback.
OK, have I got your interest and attention? Would anyone out there be willing to participate in this experiment with ALL OF US making a dry-cured salami at the same time? Think of the advantages:
1. You`ll learn how to make dry-cured salami - at last!
2. It will bring several of us much closer together.
3. It will be fun.
4. It will be a motivational step you may never have again to finally get around to makin` the stuff!
OK, Here are a few reasons to talk yourself right out of it! Some of that reasoning might include:
1. I`m afraid it requires too much "specialized knowledge". I might have to read and study a little. And, isn`t there a ton of stuff to memorize?
2. I`m afraid it will fail and I cannot justify the expense if it does fail.
3. It`s expensive and requires too much specialized equipment.
4. It takes too long to cure.
5. I`m too old to learn how to do it, and if I fail, my wife will say, "See, I told you so".
6. I don`t have the time to make fermented sausage.
7. The process is too tedious.
8. I hate mold. After all, won`t that stuff kill ya?
On the ranch, we have a saying for every single one of the excuses listed. It`s only one word but it sums it up. The word is "bullsnot"! Uh... sort of! If you think you are too old, or it takes too much time, or think you will fail... all I can say is "bulls**t". If you think is requires a little special knowledge, you`re right. But hours of study? Nope... hey, this isn`t rocket science! Memorize stuff? Nope. You don`t have time? Again, all I can say is "bulls**t". And I`m sorry that you will never be able to taste the exquisite flavor of genuine, hand-crafted salami - something many of you will never have the opportunity of trying.
If we decide to make this project work, then get ready to experience an entirely new taste in meat flavor. In my opinion, it will absolutely be worth the effort and the time. There`s just no reason why you shouldn`t be able to experience success in making air-dried sausages, especially now that we have Bactoferm™ bio-cultures on the market.
How about expressing your opinions here? Also, let me know if you`d like to take part in this project.
Best Wishes,
Chuckwagon