Zeeuws spek (pronounced ; "Zeelandic bacon") is a traditional Dutch
bacon, originally a specialty from the province of
Zeeland
, nl, Ik worstel en kom boven("I struggle and emerge")
, anthem = "Zeeuws volkslied"("Zeelandic Anthem")
, image_map = Zeeland in the Netherlands.svg
, map_alt =
, m ...
. Traditionally, it is seasoned with salt, pepper and herbs such as
bay leaf, and slow-cooked. Modern Zeeuws spek is marinated, and then grilled, broiled, or smoked.
Preparation
Zeeuws spek sold in butcher stores is prepared by marination in a spiced oil and
mustard
Mustard may refer to:
Food and plants
* Mustard (condiment), a paste or sauce made from mustard seeds used as a condiment
* Mustard plant, one of several plants, having seeds that are used for the condiment
** Mustard seed, seeds of the mustard p ...
mixture (with the addition of
soy sauce, pepper, and other aromatics) and then lightly grilled or broiled (or sometimes smoked). Its flavor is described as reminiscent of
barbecue. Recipes suggest a variety of flavoring ingredients.
Commercially available Zeeuws spek also contains additives such as
lactose and
MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as sodium glutamate, is the sodium Salt (chemistry), salt of glutamic acid. MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese in this glutamic acid form. MSG is used in cooking as a fl ...
.
Application
Traditionally, Zeeuws spek is eaten on
whole grain
A whole grain is a grain of any cereal and pseudocereal that contains the endosperm, germ, and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm.
As part of a general healthy diet, consumption of whole grains is associated ...
bread with mustard; other uses include serving it as an
hors d'œuvre,
on a salad, or with
baked potato
A baked potato, known in some parts of the United Kingdom (though not generally Scotland) as a jacket potato, is a preparation of potato. It may be served with fillings, toppings or condiments such as butter, cheese, sour cream, gravy, baked b ...
es. A notable sandwich with Zeeuws spek is made in Vermaat restaurant, in
IJsselstein
IJsselstein () is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht. IJsselstein received city rights in 1331. IJsselstein owes its name to the river Hollandse IJssel which flows through the city. It is a major commuting ...
; Ronald van der Kruk uses Zeeuws spek, bacon,
katenspek (bacon which is boiled before it is smoked), and
ontbijtspek ("breakfast bacon").
Zeeuws spek continues to be held in high regard as a Zeeland dish, though in Zeeland it is also used in fusion foods, such as the
Dutch
Dutch commonly refers to:
* Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands
* Dutch people ()
* Dutch language ()
Dutch may also refer to:
Places
* Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States
* Pennsylvania Dutch Country
People E ...
/
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
n/
Chinese
Chinese can refer to:
* Something related to China
* Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
**''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation
** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...
fusion
Fusion, or synthesis, is the process of combining two or more distinct entities into a new whole.
Fusion may also refer to:
Science and technology Physics
*Nuclear fusion, multiple atomic nuclei combining to form one or more different atomic nucl ...
dish ''babi panggang''.
National competition
The national organization of butchers, ''Slavakto'', organizes a competition to determine the best Zeeuws spek in the country. In 2007, the prize went to Jacco van Zoonen of
Nieuwe Niedorp
Nieuwe Niedorp ( West Frisian: ''Naaie Nierup'') is a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Hollands Kroon, and lies about northeast of Heerhugowaard.
History
The village was first mentioned in 1289 ...
. In 2008, the award went to Niek Kramer of
Anna Paulowna. In 2009, Gerard Haring of
Hengelo
Hengelo (; Tweants: ) is a city in the eastern part of the Netherlands, in the province of Overijssel. The city lies along the motorways A1/E30 and A35 and it has a station for the international Amsterdam – Hannover – Berlin service.
Popu ...
was the winner.
See also
*
Dutch cuisine
Dutch cuisine ( nl, Nederlandse keuken) is formed from the cooking traditions and practices of the Netherlands. The country's cuisine is shaped by its location in the fertile North Sea river delta of the European Plain, giving rise to fishing, ...
References
External links
Homemade Zeeuws spek(additional photographs)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zeeuws Spek
Bacon
Dutch cuisine