Tonno del Chianti, pork loin preserved in oil, 300 g

Tonno del Chianti isn't fish: it's pork loin cooked and preserved in oil with herbs and spices, a traditional Chianti recipe that resembles tuna when sliced. Serve at room temperature with cannellini beans and red onion, or in a salad. 300 g pack.

Why is it called "tuna" if it's pork?

The recipe originated with the ingenuity of Chianti farmers, who needed to preserve meat during the summer months before refrigerators existed. Long cooking in wine and herbs, followed by marinating in oil, completely transforms the texture of the pork loin: it becomes easy to shred, tender, delicate, and identical in texture to tuna preserved in oil. Hence the name, which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Technical specifications

How to serve it

On a charcuterie board Thinly sliced on unsalted Tuscan bread with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The appetizer that always surprises anyone unfamiliar with the recipe.

In a salad Hand-shred it over a salad of white beans, Tropea onion, and cherry tomatoes. The quintessential Tuscan summer dish.

With pasta Crumble it over pici with garlic and tomato sauce or linguine with fresh tomatoes. A bolder alternative to sea tuna.

With onions and capers The most classic version: Tonno del Chianti, sliced red onion, pickled capers, oil, and red wine vinegar. A simple dish with a memorable flavor.

On crostini Toasted bread, a layer of Tonno del Chianti, a caper, and a pinch of black pepper. An authentic Tuscan aperitivo.

Recommended pairings

FAQ

Does Tonno del Chianti really contain fish? No. It’s pork loin slowly cooked in white wine, herbs, and spices, then preserved in oil. The name "tonno" comes from the texture of the meat after long cooking and marinating: tender and easy to flake, like tuna from the sea.

How should it be stored after purchase? Refrigerate at 0-4°C in its original vacuum-sealed packaging. Once opened, keep it covered with oil in the refrigerator and consume within 5-7 days.

How do you eat Tonno del Chianti? The simplest way: flake it over white beans with onion and extra-virgin olive oil. Or serve it on Tuscan bread crostini as an appetizer. It also makes a great dressing for pasta or salads.

Is it suitable as a Tuscan food gift? Yes, it’s one of the most original Tuscan products and hard to find outside the region. Ideal in a gift basket with pecorino and Tuscan olive oil.