Tasso, a highly seasoned, intensely flavored smoked pork, adds a wonderful flavor to a variety of dishes, from soups to jambalaya to pastas and seafood dishes. Easily obtainable in Louisiana or by mail order (see my sources link), but fun to make yourself.

Here is recipe:

Trim the pork of all excess fat and cut it into strips about 2 inch thick and at least 4 inches long. Mix together the seasonings and place in a shallow pan. Roll each strip of pork in the seasoning mixture and place on a tray. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least a couple of days, longer is better.

Prepare your smoker. Place the pork strips on a grill or rod and smoke on low heat until done, 5-7 hours. Don't let the smoker get too hot. Remove the meat and let it cool completely, then wrap well in plastic and foil. The tasso will keep well in the refrigerator for at least a month, and it also freezes very well.

You can also do it without Prague Powder, but Sanitation will be dicey, Texture, Color and Flavor Inferior. The Holding Quality will be reduced to about a week, safely in the Fridge.