That's a Bunch of Bologna!

Italy's top culinary cities are Parma and Bologna, long-standing competitors for the title of the country's gastronomic hub. Each city is famous for a particular food: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese from Parma and Bologna, a type of salami, from Bologna. This salami can only be produced in the region under strict guidelines and using specific ingredients. In Italy, Bologna is considered a delicacy, whereas in the United States, the American version, known as baloney, is often seen as inferior.

This Italian Diva recalls seeing classmates with baloney sandwiches in elementary school, likely because their parents couldn't afford more expensive options like roast beef, turkey, or ham. As a mother, my twins took lunches like quiche, tuna, or egg salad sandwiches while other kids ate PBJ or baloney sandwiches.

As a country, our view of baloney is distorted because most American delis only offer the imitation. Consequently, our taste experiences and health are affected. In Italy, authentic Bologna contains no preservatives or artificial chemicals, as these are both illegal and banned.

One of the most popular types of baloney is the Oscar Mayer brand, made from mechanically separated chicken and pork. The USDA describes mechanically separated meat as a paste-like meat product created by forcing bones with attached edible meat through a sieve under high pressure to separate the bone from the meat tissue.

The Italian Diva’s Health Tip: The International Agency for Research on Cancer examined over 800 studies and concluded that eating processed deli meats, such as ham, hot dogs, and all lunch meats, increases the risk of colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. They recommend avoiding processed meat entirely, as it is deemed unsafe at any level of consumption.