The ancient origins of the Barba Nane salami

Food

27 November 2020

Food

The ancient origins of the Barba Nane salami

The Barba Nane salami dates back to the 19th century. It is part of Friuli’s emigration story representing the burden and consequences of the poverty that marked every emigrant and their own social redemption. In 1850 the Friuli born Barba Nane started out on foot from Budoia to reach Budapest, in search of fortune. Budapest was the administrative seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and was booming in economic and urban expansion. Given the growing demand for stonemasons and bricklayers, Barba Nane emigrated as a seasonal worker: his suitcase contained a level, a trowel and even some homemade salami from Budoia. It didn’t take long for this cured meat to arouse the curiosity of his fellow workers and to ignite the interest of the Hungarians who didn’t know this technique of seasoning and sausage making. So Barba Nane, who saw the possibility of doing more business with salami, left his mason job to open his first workshop and later a salami factory. During the same years, due to poverty, the three Dozzi brothers from the town of Frisanco also emigrated to Budapest. They met Barba Nane and found work in his salami factory. The business did so well that they decided to open other factories in Romania and the Principality of Vienna. Unfortunately, at the end of the Second World War things changed; following the Soviet Russian invasion, private property was abolished, and the Friuli businesses were nationalized ending in financial downfall.
Alex, the owner of the “Noe” butcher shop in Maniago, heard about Barba Nane’s story at the beginning of the century and was immediately captivated. Today Alex produces the salami following the original recipe.

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Miriam Ferrarin

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Even though I am a “globetrotter”, I am very attached to my Friuli origins. I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot during my life ( including a year alone in South East Asia). My main passions are photography, mountains and all outdoor activities. I started to talk about my “globetrotting” through my blog with particular consideration for my beloved Friuli.