The first and only time I’ve eaten Chocolate Salami was in…Ecuador. Boyfriend and I were in Ayampe, a small hippie town on the coast. It was nestled within the jungle which made for a beautiful yet mosquito-ridden stay on our ocean-front cabana.
There are only a handful of restaurants in this town – and we landed on an Italian one that had the most beautiful climbing flowers out front (which how I choose restaurants).
I knew I was tempting fate.
Italian food in Ecuador? On our last night? It should be noted that you are likely guaranteed to get food poisoning via poorly made Italian food in a country who’s primary cuisine is not Italian. No, I don’t have facts to support this. But I have eye witnesses and really why risk 3 days on the bathroom floor for mushy pasta in cream sauce?
But here we were.
Much to my surprise, they were serving fresh handmade pasta. With exotic mushrooms and fresh things from the sea. The food was delicious by any standard.
Chocolate Salami (?) was on the menu. Boyfriend exclaimed that this was a Russian dish (???) and we had to order it. It was weird and delicious and I knew Chocolate Salami had to make it’s way into Russian month.
I’ve since learned this is a traditional Portuguese dessert – though the Italians have also laid claim to it. It’s was also a staple on Slavic tables during the Soviet Union because of the simple, readily-available ingredients that often include leftover cookies or cakes.
This is a strange thing to make. I mean it looks like salami.
Put aside your biases of what dessert should “look” like and give it a shot because it is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea after dinner.
Chocolate Salami requires no baking, and only takes a few hours in the fridge to come together. Easily thrown into the freezer, you can pull this out next time you have a party or need some chocolate immediately.
The consistency is a little fudge-y, sweet, and very effective at solving a chocolate craving.
Those little white flecks? Cookies and nuts. Come on with that combo. Fudge, cookies, nuts. Why aren’t you eating this already?
Chocolate Salami
(start making 2.5 hours before you want Chocolate Salami)
Start by toasting your cashews on a dry skillet over medium heat. Watch these closely, they don’t need long to start browning. Once slightly toasted, you’ll remove and chop. Place these in a medium bowl.
In the same bowl, crush the cookies so you have a mix of cookie dust/small chunks of cookie.
Get a saucepan going over low heat on the stovetop. Add your cream and butter. Once the butter has melted, add your chocolate, sugar and cocoa powder. Once everything is melted and incorporated (about 2 minutes) you’ll add your cookie/nut mixture to your saucepan and remove it from the heat.
This is where it gets funny. Lay out a piece of wax or parchment paper. Dump the mixture on it and start to form into a salami shape. I swore mine was going to fall apart/never come together but trust – it will.
Secure the ends with string or rubber bands and put in the fridge for at least 2 hours. When you’re ready to showcase your masterpiece, roll it in powdered sugar to get that aged salami look on the outside. Slice into the bad boy and serve with a cup of tea.
Danielle
