Zeeuws spek
{{Short description|Dutch cuisine}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Zeeuws spek
| image = Bacon-wrapped scallop.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Scallop wrapped in Zeeuws spek
| alternate_name =
| country = Netherlands
| region = Zeeland
| creator =
| course =
| served = Hot or cold
| main_ingredient = Pork
| variations =
| calories = 450 (per 100 g){{Cite book
| last = Duinker-Joustra
| first = N.
| title = Kijk op calorieën en joules
| publisher = Inmerc
| year = 2005
| page = 125
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vDM3I0VlZNUC&pg=PT100
| isbn = 978-90-6611-360-2}}
| other = 15 g protein, 38 g total fat
}}
Zeeuws spek (pronounced {{IPA|nl|zeːu(s) ˈspɛk|}}; "Zeelandic bacon") is a traditional Dutch bacon, originally a specialty from the province of Zeeland.{{Cite book
| last1 = Verver
| first1 = P.
| first2 = M.
| last2 = Kerst
| title = ANWB Reisgids Nederland Zeeland
| publisher = ANWB Media
| year = 2006
| page = 7
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Tjm0_17bx3cC&pg=PA5
| isbn = 978-90-18-02314-0}} 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 mixture (with the addition of soy sauce, pepper, and other aromatics) and then lightly grilled or broiled (or sometimes smoked).{{Cite news
| last = Braakman
| first = Mieneke
| title = Weelderige worsten van Ter Weele
| newspaper = De Stentor
| language = nl
| date = 2007-05-02
| url = http://www.destentor.nl/regio/veluwenoord/article1370470.ece
| access-date = 2009-12-18}} Its flavor is described as reminiscent of barbecue. Recipes suggest a variety of flavoring ingredients.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kookjij.nl/recept-geroosterd-gemarineerd-zeeuwsspek|title=A Recipe for Preparing Zeeuws spek (Dutch)|access-date=2009-12-08|publisher=Kooken!|author=Marijke Geurts|year=2008}} Commercially available Zeeuws spek also contains additives such as lactose and MSG.{{Cite web
| title = Productspecificaties Zeeuws Spek
| publisher = Mastenbroek Vleeswaren
| date = 2008-06-30
| url = http://mastenbroek-vleeswaren.nl/produktpages/zeeuws-spek_30.06.2008_1.1.pdf
| access-date = 2009-12-18
| archive-date = 2011-07-24
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110724161007/http://mastenbroek-vleeswaren.nl/produktpages/zeeuws-spek_30.06.2008_1.1.pdf
| url-status = dead
}}
Application
Traditionally, Zeeuws spek is eaten on whole-grain bread with mustard; other uses include serving it as an hors d'œuvre,{{Cite web|url=http://www.mijnreceptenboek.nl/ingredienten/varkensvlees/spek.html|title=Bacon (Dutch)|access-date=2009-12-08|publisher=MijnReceptenboek.nl|year=2006}} on a salad,{{Cite book
| last = Arkel
| first = Francis van
| title = Salade
| publisher = Inmerc
| year = 2007
| page = 20
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=KsGwi6iaK0sC&pg=PA21
| isbn = 978-90-6611-645-0}} or with baked potatoes.{{Cite news
| title = Zuurkool met gepofte aardappels
| newspaper =De Gooi- en Eemlander
| language = nl
| date = 2008-02-14
| url = http://www.gooieneemlander.nl/nieuws/extra/recepten/article3080393.ece?secId=675
| access-date = 2009-12-08}} A notable sandwich with Zeeuws spek is made in Vermaat restaurant, in IJsselstein; Ronald van der Kruk uses Zeeuws spek, bacon, katenspek (bacon which is boiled before it is smoked), and ontbijtspek ("breakfast bacon").{{Cite web
| last = Roemaat
| first = Bianca
| title = Broodje spek (focaccia spies)
| publisher = Misset Horeca
| date = 2008-02-22
| url = http://www.missethoreca.nl/1064006/catering/catering-artikel/BroodjeSpekFocacciaSpies.htm
| access-date = 2009-12-18}}
Zeeuws spek continues to be held in high regard as a Zeeland dish,{{Cite news
| title = Zeeuwse dag in Ter Schorre
| newspaper = Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant
| language = nl
| date = 2009-06-23
| url = http://www.pzc.nl/regio/zeeuws-vlaanderen/5153301/Zeeuwse-dag-in-Ter-Schorre.ece
| access-date = 2009-12-09}} though in Zeeland it is also used in fusion foods, such as the Dutch/Indonesian/Chinese fusion dish babi panggang.{{Cite news
| title = Oost-Souburg - Bandoeng vindt gulden middenweg
| newspaper = Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant
| language = nl
| date = 2008-11-07
| url = http://www.pzc.nl/specials/smaakvan/de_smaak_algemeen/4000473/OOSTSOUBURG--Bandoeng-vindt-gulden-middenweg.ece
| access-date = 2009-12-09}}
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.{{Cite news
| title = Ottens wint op Paasvee-'zon'dag
| newspaper = Noordhollands Dagblad
| language = nl
| date = 2007-03-28
| url = http://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/article1676076.ece
| access-date = 2009-12-09
}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite news
| title = Prijzenregen slagerij Jacco van Zoonen
| newspaper = Noordhollands Dagblad
| language = nl
| date = 2007-03-29
| url = http://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/nieuws/stadstreek/schagen/article1680935.ece
| access-date = 2009-12-09
}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2008, the award went to Niek Kramer of Anna Paulowna.{{Cite news
| title = Kwaliteitsslagerij Niek Kramer Nederlands kampioen
| newspaper = De Polderbode
| language = nl
| date = 2008-11-10
| url = http://www.echo.nl/pb-pb/buurt/redactie/816242/kwaliteitsslagerij.niek.kramer.nederlands.kampioen/
| access-date = 2009-12-18
}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2009, Gerard Haring of Hengelo was the winner.{{Cite news
| title = Bekroond Spek
| newspaper = Hengelo's Weekblad
| language = nl
| date = 2009-10-06
| url = http://www.deweekkrant.nl/files/pdfarchief/HWB/20091006/HWB_HWB-1-25_091006_1.pdf
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110719020849/http://www.deweekkrant.nl/files/pdfarchief/HWB/20091006/HWB_HWB-1-25_091006_1.pdf
| archive-date = 2011-07-19
| access-date = 2014-01-11}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://imgur.com/gjYTJ Homemade Zeeuws spek] (additional photographs)
{{bacon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zeeuws Spek}}