500 YEARS OF HISTORY
The history of Zampone Modena and Cotechino Modena dates back to ancient times, in the heart of the Modena area. Here, experience, ingenuity and culinary culture gave rise to two outstanding specialities that still represent a symbol of conviviality and the most authentic local gastronomic tradition.
The Taste of Legend
Our story begins in 1511, when the troops of Pope Julius II della Rovere had been besieging Mirandola for some time. The city, birthplace of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, was ruled by the noble family bearing the same name.
After weeks of fierce resistance, the people of Mirandola were starving. They had only a few pigs left, which they had to protect at all costs from the invaders, who were preparing to enter the city.
This is where an ingenious idea came from one of Pico della Mirandola’s cooks, who suggested preserving the leanest meat inside a casing made from the skin of the pigs’ front legs, so that it could be kept and cooked later when needed. A clever solution born out of necessity, somewhere between history and legend, which gave life to two products destined to become icons of Italian cuisine.
Flavour Without Borders
Having “escaped” the conquest of Mirandola, Cotechino Modena and Zampone Modena soon crossed the borders of the Modena area, making their way into the central and northern regions of Italy as two of the most iconic gastronomic specialities of Emilia.
From the very beginning, their consumption became traditionally associated with the Christmas and New Year period and with the rural custom of slaughtering pigs from 13 December, Saint Lucy’s Day, and enjoying their prized cured meats during the festive season.
However, there is also evidence that Zampone was served at more prestigious tables, as suggested by recipes pairing it with zabaglione, an ingredient certainly beyond the reach of less affluent families.
Excellence, Crafted to Perfection
The 19th century marked the definitive rise of Zampone Modena and Cotechino Modena on a large scale, thanks in part to the “endorsement” of some very special admirers.
While Roman food writer Vincenzo Agnoletti began including Zampone in his writings, even more significant were the exchanges of letters between composer Gioacchino Rossini and Giuseppe Bellentani, one of the leading producers of the time. In his letters, the composer of The Barber of Seville explicitly requested “four Zamponi and four Cotechini, all of the finest quality”.
The Consortium
Protection and Promotion
The Consortium carefully preserves the over 500-year history of these truly Italian specialities, with the mission of safeguarding their quality and promoting awareness of their heritage.
• It brings together and coordinates the leading companies in the finest Italian charcuterie sector that produce these PGI specialities
• It protects consumers through careful market monitoring, both in Italy and abroad
• It protects genuine Zampone Modena PGI and Cotechino Modena PGI from potential fraud
• It promotes Zampone Modena PGI and Cotechino Modena PGI around the world
Furthermore, every Consortium member company is inspected by an independent body to ensure that the production process complies with the official Product Specification.
Download the Product Specifications:
PGI Certification
The quality of Zampone Modena PGI and Cotechino Modena PGI is protected throughout Europe thanks to their registration in the register of Protected Geographical Indications.
This prestigious recognition certifies the products, acknowledges the commitment and work of the producing companies, and at the same time guarantees consumers:
• Compliance with a traditional recipe and an unbreakable bond with the territory of origin;
• The existence of an official Product Specification establishing production rules and defining the products' distinctive characteristics;
• Continuous production monitoring, with manufacturing required to take place in the traditional production area specified in the Product Specification;
• Clearly defined organoleptic and nutritional properties.
The PGI Label
The quality of Zampone Modena PGI and Cotechino Modena PGI is protected throughout Europe through their registration as Protected Geographical Indications, recognised by the well-known PGI label.
This prestigious European recognition certifies these products and guarantees consumers:
• Compliance with the ancient traditional recipe (unchanged since 1511) and the connection with their place of origin;
• The use of high-quality meat;
• Continuous production monitoring, with manufacturing required to take place in the traditional production area specified in the Product Specification;
• Specific organoleptic and nutritional characteristics.
Our companies