What do you enjoy eating for sporting events? For my family, we love sharing different flavors of Columbus salami with our friends!
It’s been very exciting for those of us who live in the Bay Area if you are a sports fan. The Golden State Warriors are chasing their second NBA championship, the baseball season has just started, and the San Jose Sharks are in the hockey playoffs.
Even with all the excitement around, I have a confession to make. I am not a sports fan at all. Growing up in Japan, I watched baseball with my dad and that’s the only game I understand. When I moved to the U.S. I did follow baseball, but only the teams that Ichiro Suzuki was on. He was my favorite player!
However, my family and friends are all sports fanatics. Every time the Warriors play my children and husband even wear their favorite Stephen Curry jerseys because they believe it will bring the team good luck.
Just because I am not a sports fan doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the fun though! What’s my part? Food of course!
My Family’s Favorite – Columbus Salami
When we watch games with friends and family, I like to prepare an assortment of snacks. Some of the family’s favorites are carrot and celery sticks with dip, chips and guacamole, cheesy garlic bread, Teba Shio (salted chicken wings), and Homemade Truffle Salt Popcorn. And most important of them all is – the salami!
I only had salami a couple of times before moving to the U.S. After moving to the States, I started to enjoy this treat that originated from Italy. Since I live in the Bay Area, the majority of the markets around me all carry Columbus salami and it’s also my favorite. They have 12 different flavors and we’ve tried all of them. If it’s just for our family, I would ask the deli for 2 oz. of different cuts. If it’s for a large party then I buy the pre-sliced version from the markets.
Columbus has been making salami in San Francisco since 1917 and you can read more about their history here.
Different Flavors of Columbus Salami
If you are not familiar with salami and wants to try it, I recommend these three flavors from Columbus Craft Meats.
Crespone – Flavorful, rich, and buttery. You can taste the pepper and spices they used to create the salami.
Finocchiona – Wonderful salami with distinct hints of fennel. If you love fennel sausage you’ll love this salami.
Hot Sopressata – Salame with a kick, it has chile de arbol, paprika.
Do you have a favorite salami? If you do, let me know and I know my family would love to give it a try.
Lastly, go Warriors and Sharks!
Full Disclosure: Thank you to Columbus Foods for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.
We love salami and eat quite a bit of it during the summer for lunch. I’ve got to get me some of that Hot Sopressata! Sounds Awesome!
We loveeee all of them. My hubby is buying those regardless game or no game lol! Delicious clicks, Nami!
I appreciate how often you post lately, but these posts are really just feeling like advertisements.
Hi Tam! This message is also for my dearest readers who felt the same way.
First of all, please understand that I am SUPER picky about whom to work with and what type of products to feature on my blog. I actually turn down most of offers or opportunities. Because to me, it’s not worth losing my wonderful readers and they are very important to me. I work really hard to get more readers and I wouldn’t do something that cause the opposite.
When I decide to work with some company, I’ve already tried and tested the product beforehand, or I already love and believe in the product (such as this Columbia salami – our family’s favorites).
Sometimes I’m not compensated to produce a recipe or write a post about the products too, but it was okay with me as long as I believe in the product and I feel passionate about it (such as Instant Pot or Nomiku Immersion circulator).
I don’t mean to “sell” these products, but it’s more like “recommend” or “endorsement” in case my readers are looking for some idea or want something that I actually use.
However, thank you so for raising awareness. I’ve been a little bit behind in posting my regular recipes as I spend more time creating contents for the summer (for the time I’ll be in Japan) than writing new recipe posts. I apologize you felt there are too many sponsored posts. I will limit this type of posts more.
Thanks for your post, Nami! I was wondering, is that Brussels sprouts in the photo? How do you cook your Brussels sprouts? I am always looking for new recipes for them! 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Anne! Yes, they are Brussels sprouts! I cook differently, and I only have one recipe here on the blog (which we LOVE!):
https://www.justonecookbook.com/brussels-sprouts-with-bacon-and-thyme/
But this one in the picture is my quick and easy recipe. Cut Brussels sprouts in half and put in a bowl. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper. Shake/mix/coat with oil very well (key for the crispy texture for each Brussels sprout). Put them on a baking sheet and roast in preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes. Toss and rotate the baking pan and cook for 5-8 more minutes (I actually like mine to have some texture, but you can cook more). Shave Parmesan cheese on top and serve. 🙂
Thanks so much, Nami! I can’t wait to try those!
Love salami! I’m lucky — St. Louis has several places that make really good salami and sausages. In fact we had some on a chef’s salad for dinner tonight! Fun post — thanks.
OMG, that all looks so great! Thank you Nami for Sharing and thank you to Mr. JOC for loving sports!! ????????
Thank you Tania! Our family is a big salami fan. 😀
Our new favorite columbus salami is actually the LITE salami. My daughter for whatever reason loves it way more than the other kind. I don’t find it at my usual grocery store (Trader joe’s) which also carries many varieties of the Columbus salami, so instead I buy it at a Walgreens in San Francisco and bring home two packets each week. I’d suggest trying it. It really is good!!
Hi Jeanie! LITE one? I got to check that one! I also buy at Trader Joe’s too. I wonder TJs in San Mateo carry it. I’ll also check other stores too. Thanks for the recommendation! p.s. I had no idea Walgreens carry salami! American pharmacy sells interesting thing….