This porchetta sandwich is a tasty and easy-to-make Italian panino recipe that pairs flavorful cuts of porchetta with a pistachio pesto spread and gorgonzola cheese.
The creation of this porchetta sandwich was inspired by Al'Antico Vinaio, a famous sandwich shop in Florence. They have a porchetta sandwich called "La Quarentena" on their menu.
Porchetta sandwiches encompass any type of sandwich that uses porchetta. There are a variety of different ways that you can make a porchetta sandwich, using different breads and fillings. Traditional porchetta sandwiches are generally simple as far as ingredients, which is what differentiates them from North American sandwiches.
The idea behind using fewer ingredients in porchetta panini goes along with the fact that the ingredients are high quality. Not many ingredients are needed to make the sandwich full of flavor!
In this recipe, the porchetta sandwich is made with schiacciata bread, which is similar to focaccia. Looking for more sandwich recipes? Definitely check out this Prosciutto Sandwich recipe! You can use any type of bread that you want.
Here's why you should make this porchetta sandwich:
- It's easy to make: The sandwich comes together in just a few minutes, and you only need a few simple ingredients to make it.
- It's delicious: This porchetta sandwich is filled with the classic combination of porchetta, pistachio pesto, and gorgonzola...resulting in the most amazing flavor.
- It's flexible: This recipe, similar to other panini, is easy to adjust. There are a variety of ways that you can change it up based on your preferences. Add your favorite sandwich fillings, or try different types of bread. The sky's the limit!
Ingredients
- Porchetta: The star ingredient! Porchetta is a type of roasted pork that is heavily salted and has a delicious savory flavor. It is sometimes stuffed with seasonings like garlic, rosemary, fennel, or other herbs which adds extra flavor.
- Schiacciata bread: The type of bread that I used. Schiacciata is an Italian flatbread similar to focaccia. You can use any type of bread that you prefer to make a porchetta sandwich.
- Gorgonzola: A type of veined blue cheese that originated in Northern Italy. It is traditionally made from pasteurized cow's milk, and the flavor depends on how long it has aged. It can be creamy, nutty, or sharp and tastes delicious on panini!
- Pistachio pesto: An Italian classic that adds tons of flavor when spread over sandwiches. All you need is a little bit for this porchetta sandwich to make it super tasty.
Filling options for a porchetta sandwich:
Simplicity is key when it comes to Italian panini! It is not uncommon for Italians to eat sandwiches with porchetta only so that they can savor as much of its flavor as possible.
In some cases, cheeses like provolone or gorgonzola are added to porchetta sandwiches. The fillings that I used in this recipe are porchetta, gorgonzola, and pistachio pesto. Here are a few other filling options you can try:
- Porchetta, onion jam
- Porchetta, salsa verde
Other filling ideas for porchetta sandwiches include pickled vegetables, greens, or aioli.
How to make it- step by step
Start by cutting the schiacciata bread in half. Add knobs of gorgonzola to the base of the bread.
Place the piece of bread under the broiler, so that the gorgonzola melts.
Remove the piece of bread from the oven and with a knife, spread the gorgonzola so it evenly covers the bread.
Spread the pistachio pesto over the gorgonzola.
Top with porchetta slices. Place the other piece of bread on top to form a sandwich. Serve and enjoy!
FAQ
Porchetta is made from roasted pork--in fact, porchetta means "little pig" in Italian. This cut of meat can be made from a roasted whole suckling pig or an older pig. Sometimes, porchetta is made from the pork belly roll. No matter what part of the pig that porchetta comes from, the rind is always included. Porchetta made from pork belly will also include the pork loin. The meat is roasted with the fat and skin on, over wood, for 8 hours or more.
Traditionally, porchetta is served alone on bread. Sometimes, other ingredients like spreads and cheeses are included--but the simpler, the better so that the flavor of the porchetta can be enjoyed. Porchetta can also be served with roasted vegetables or side salads, but if you want to keep it classic, eating porchetta on a simple sandwich will be enough.
The difference between porchetta and pork is that pork is any type of meat that comes from a pig, while porchetta is a specific type of pork roast in Italian cuisine.
The flavor of porchetta can be described as rich, bold, and salty. It has a fatty and moist texture. Some types of porchetta are stuffed with flavorful herbs like garlic, rosemary, and fennel.
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Recipe
Porchetta Sandwich with Gorgonzola and Pistachio Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 schiacciata recipe optional- can use any bread
- 1 pistachio pesto recipe
- 250 grams porchetta sliced
- 150 grams gorgonzola
Instructions
- Start by cutting the schiacciata bread in half. Add knobs of gorgonzola to the base of the bread.
- Place the piece of bread under the broiler, so that the gorgonzola melts.
- Remove the piece of bread from the oven and with a knife, spread the gorgonzola so it evenly covers the bread.
- Spread the pistachio pesto over the gorgonzola.
- Top with porchetta slices. Place the other piece of bread on top to form a sandwich. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- You will not use the whole pistachio pesto recipe for this panino - you can save it for later and use it for something else (on pasta, crostini, etc)
- This recipe makes one sandwich - approximately 9x6 inches
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