Do you want to know a Secreto?
Like The Beatles’ song in 1963, Acornseekers wants to “whisper” a Secret… the Secreto is probably the best piece of pork meat of the world. Ssssssshhhhh!
The Secreto is a special piece of meat hidden behind the shoulder and below the back fat of the Ibericus Pigs. That is why it is so-called the “Secret” cut, or Secreto, as called in Spain. It is only found by the top butchers when they cut the muscle horizontally. Another reason is related with its flavor because, in the origins, butchers did not sell it to the clients to enjoy its exquisiteness and its high quality in exclusive.
At first sight, you could think that it is not very attractive, with streaky fat and irregular shape. But once it is in your mouth, you fall in love with it. After tasting, you will see it in another way: murrey colored, beautiful marbling of fat throughout and wonderful shape… Delicious!
As it is placed in the frontal extremities of the pig, in direct contact with the belly, the Secreto is characterized for being a meat with high component in fats, healthy fats though. When Ibericus Pigs eat acorns, the acorn fats find their way into the fat of the animals transforming them into Oleic Acids, the same healthy fats as the ones found in olive oil. That is the reason why some people in Spain called to the Ibericus Pigs olive trees with legs. These fats give to the meat tenderness, juiciness and exquisite flavors, making it a delicious for taste buds.
Maybe the best way to cook the Secreto is to grill it on an iron or on a barbecue, simply by adding salt and little bit of your favorite combination of spices and herbs (black pepper, rosemary, thyme, etc). It is a piece that being so delicious itself, it requires few additives. Simple and perfect!
As George Harrison sang in the well-known song (see below)… “I’m in love with you… uuuuu”.
