Pancetta is sorta like Italian bacon. It’s pork belly cured with salt and seasonings which is then rolled into a log and hung to dry for a couple weeks rather than being smoked. It’s typically thinly sliced or diced and then sautéed to add complexity to other dishes. The traditional process of curing and drying pancetta takes about 3 weeks but the timing varies depending on whom you ask. You could also choose not to roll it and use it as is, treating it as you would fresh bacon. We’ve got ample tricks and techniques to share by folks who’ve made their own pancetta, both on the making of it and the using of it, in the comments beneath this recipe. Go on and take a look before embarking on making your own pancetta. And don’t forget to let us know how it goes. Originally published May 8, 2005.–Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn