Should Speck Be Cooked?

Speck is cooked and its fat rendered almost as much as it's eaten cold, as it adds creaminess and a mild saltiness to any dish you use it in.

Does speck have to be cooked?

Since it's a cured meat, it can be sliced thin and eaten raw in an antipasti platter, wrapped around sweet fruits, or layered on sandwiches. It also holds up well in cooking, giving dishes a smoky flavor similar to bacon but without a lot of extra rendered fat.

How do you serve speck?

Speck is excellent served on its own as a savory snack or antipasto. You could also create a meat and cheese board pairing slices of speck with cheese like Piave DOP, which has light fruit flavors that contrast perfectly to the smokiness of the speck.