Porketta
 | |
| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Minnesota |
| Region or state | Iron Range |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | pork, fennel, garlic |
Porketta, also known as Iron Range porketta[1] is a unique type of porchetta hailing from Minnesota,[2] it is an important part of the local cuisine. The dish consists of slow roasted, heavily seasoned pork. It was invented by Italian immigrants in the Iron Range, and was likely created because traditional porchetta ingredients and techniques were not available. Fraboni Sausage, in Hibbing, produces porketta. The dish is similar to pulled pork.[3]
Differences from traditional porchetta
Cuts of meat
Traditional porchetta often uses pork belly with the skin on. While porketta uses pork butt or pork shoulder. additionally, porketta is usually butterflied and rolled.[1][2][3]
Seasonings
Porketta always uses fennel and garlic, while Italian porchetta uses a wide variety of seasonings and sometimes stuffs the pig with liver.[1][2][3]
Cooking methods
Italian porchetta is roasted, while porketta can baked, smoked, or cooked in a crockpot.[4]
Porketta sandwich
One of the most popular ways to enjoy porketta is on a sandwich. Typically placed on ciabatta or a hard roll. It can be served with mustard, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, or provolone cheese, but is commonly served plain.[5][2]
Iron Range pot roast
Another popular way to serve porketta is the iron range pot roast, this consists of porketta cooked in a crock pot, and served with mashed potatoes.[6]
References
- ^ a b c Nosh, Northerly (2017-07-10). "Iron Range Porketta". Northerly Nosh. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ a b c d Behymer, Jim (2024-12-31). "Feeding a Crowd: the Iron Range's Porketta | Sandwich Tribunal". Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ a b c "Iron Range Porketta". Cook's Country Eats Local. 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ Seuffert, Alice (2015-01-24). "Porketta". Dining with Alice. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ Robicelli, Allison (2020-09-11). "These Iron Range Porketta Sandwiches Are Minnesota Nice". The Takeout. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "Iron Range Pot Roast Recipe - Food Reference Pork Recipes". www.foodreference.com. Retrieved 2025-08-07.