Porchetta
"Porchetta is a whole pig, deboned and stuffed with wild fennel, garlic, rosemary, and black pepper, then roasted on a spit for 8+ hours until the skin crackles. It's sliced thick and served in crusty bread as a sandwich. Porchetta is street food, market food, and Sunday lunch food found at markets and porchetta trucks."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Meaty, aromatic
Duration
Quick bite
Best For
Meat lovers
The Backstory
Porchetta originated in the Castelli Romani hills southeast of Rome, traditionally prepared for festivals. Porchetta trucks appear at festivals and markets across Lazio. The best come from Ariccia, where it's a protected food product.
Local Secret
"Find porchetta at markets like Testaccio Market. Ask for 'con ciccioli' (crispy skin bits) mixed in. Eat it standing up immediately; the fat congeals when cold."