Pork Tasso

Pork tasso: a unique Louisiana specialty meat.

Pork tasso is a smoked specialty meat that is so flavorful and unique it could only come from Louisiana! Tasso is traditionally used in classic Cajun dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya and red beans & rice - however, it is a highly versatile ingredient and can be used to spice up a wide range of dishes and sauces.

Exactly what is tasso?

Tasso is made from strips of lean pork that is marinated in a special mixture of Cajun spices and seasonings, then heavily smoked. Tasso has been made by Cajuns in south Louisiana for many generations, and originally came about as a way to preserve pork in the days before refrigeration. Today it's just a wonderful way to enjoy one of Louisiana's most unique and flavorful delicacies.

How much do we love tasso? Let us count the ways.

For starters, tasso adds an incredible, smoky flavor to any type of gumbo - seafood, chicken, duck, you name it. Tasso is also the perfect ingredient for seasoning vegetable dishes such as green beans, cabbage, black-eye peas, squash or virtually any type of cooked vegetable. It also adds a delicious flavor to any type of cream sauce. Try making your favorite cream sauce, add some thinly sliced tasso and serve over pasta for a taste-tempting treat. In addition, tasso can be substituted for ham in almost any dish - you won't believe the difference!

Try some tasso today and see what all the fuss is about.

In recent years, famous chefs all over the world have been cooking with pork tasso because its flavor is so special and spicy. At Louisiana Living we offer pork tasso from three of south Louisiana's most famous specialty meat producers - Savoie's, Poche's and Comeaux's. Try them all - we know you'll love them!