Salumi

Yesterday was a fun day at work. 

Currently I am employed by Tom Douglas and one of my jobs is acting as an in-house "spice specialist" for his spice rub line called "Rub with Love". This job entails going to an assortment of events and locations to perform cooking demonstrations with this spice rub line. Yesterday I was at an event where several vendors were showcasing their products.  I was prepping some beautiful wild king salmon when an older gentleman arrived and began to set up his station next to me. 

After a few minutes the man looked up at me and said, 

"You have a wonderful smile".

 I introduced myself, "Hi, I'm Sarah"

He shook my hand and said his name was "Armandino". 

Armandino Batali  that is....father to Chef Mario Batali. 

Over the next 5 hours we worked side by side. I cooked up salmon and mushrooms with an array of spices and he dished out samples of his delicious salami. When I asked him which salami was his favorite he passed me a slice of his mole salami and said "chocolate". The mole salami was spiced with chocolate, cinnamon, ancho, and chipotle peppers.... an amazing combination. 

Armandino started his shop Salumi as a retirement project back in 1999. In 2005, his daughter, Gina, and his son-in-law, Brian, joined the business. In 2007, he left day-to-day operations in the hands of Gina and Brian. You can stop in for lunch Tuesdays-Fridays from 11am-4pm to pick up a sandwich or your choice of salami by the pound. Salumi produces 8 different kinds of salami as well as an additional selection of other cured meats. 

What's "Salumi"?

Salumi [singular: salume] are Italian cured meat products that are predominantly made from pork. The world salumi is not a misspelling or variant of salami. 

Salumi

309 Third Ave South

Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 621-8772

Photo Credit (Armandino) : NY TIMES