Guanciale

Guanciale is a Italian salt-cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheek. It is cured for three weeks and over or until it loses approximately 30% of its original weight. Its flavor is stronger than that of other pork products, such as pancetta, and its texture is more delicate. When cooked, the fat typically melts away. This is the hero product for making pasta : Spaghetti alla Carbonara.