By Michele Laudig
Of course I don't expect you to read Italian. "Festa di Maiale" means "Festival of the Pig," which means that Sassi's big shindig this Sunday, from 2 to 6 p.m., will be a porcine party extraordinaire.
In Italy, it's a traditional celebration of butchering the family pig and turning Porky into prosciutto, sausage, and other cured delicacies. At the North Scottsdale restaurant, it's an afternoon orgy of food, wine, and live music, with treats such as grilled sausage, housemade salumi, prosciutto, and even a whole roasted pig, fresh from a wood-burning oven.
Tickets are $65 in advance or $75 the day of (click here for details). Curious about the menu? Check it out:
Station 1 Housemade sausages, cooked over wood grill (Sweet spicy, Tomato-herb, Fennel and black pepper) Pork Spiedino Porchetta roasted on a spit, carved at table Variety of condiments, mostarda Bread and Rolls from MJ Bread/ La Brea
Station 2 Dry rubbed ribs Red wine braised ribs Pork “Cracklings” Prosciutto cotto (fresh pork leg, carved at table) Condiments and accompaniments
Station 3 Sassi-made Cavatelli with pork ragu and Parmigiano Rigatoni with mushrooms, Pecorino and herbs
Station 4 Affetati misti – Salume and Prosciutto sliced to order Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella, Coppa, Soprasetta, Cappicolla, Finnochiona Breads, crackers to accompany salume Olives Italian cheeses
Station 5 Pickled vegetables Seasonal vegetable salads Insalata Caprese
Station 6 Cannoli Granita Gelato Biscotti Fall fruit crostata
