Unexpected, huh? A chocolate salami? It is super fun and super tasty, and I use all sorts of local ingredients. It’s an easy, no-bake dessert, or it makes an amusing gift. Give it a try!
What’s needed to make Chocolate Ginger Salami with Hazelnuts
Bittersweet chocolate: (I love San José 70% dark chocolate. They are a local (well, the business is, of course. the cacao is grown in Ecuador) love the stuff!
Hazelnuts: I use American Hazelnut Co. These ARE grown in the midwest, Minnesota included. These hazelnuts are smaller, sweeter, and so delish. These hazelnuts are sustainably grown and excellent for our earth!
Gingernut cookies: (or biscuits as called in Ireland), these can be found at Irish on Grand, in St. Paul. You can use any crispy ginger cookie you love. I DO love a good Gingernut.
Cocoa powder, crystallized ginger (I do love the ginger discs in the bulk area at Lakewinds Food Co-op, butter, brown sugar, almonds, and pistachios.
Now you are set to make this fun treat
OTHER TIPS AND TRICKS
Make it gluten free: use a gluten-free (as long as it’s crunchy/crispy) cookie or bisquit. Ginger if possible
Use the best ingredients you can, it makes a difference in this treat!
Irish butter? Yes, please.
Other additions: Make it your own; add a different dried fruit or crushed-up peppermint candy. Love cashews? Use ’em, just be sure to give them a toast.
Chocolate Ginger Salami with Hazelnuts
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 mintues
- Yield: 10-12 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
Description
No-bake, easy, using lots of local ingredients (see above for info) treat! What more can you ask for? Get the kiddos involved in the fun for a messy (and delish) activity!
Ingredients
- 8 oz. (225g) good-quality dark chocolate* (such as San Jose), roughly chopped
- 8 oz. (250g) Ginger Nut Cookies (or any ginger/crunchy cookie)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (3 oz.) (90g) crystallized ginger, chopped to about 1/4″ bits
- 1 tablespoon Irish Whiskey (or one tablespoon vanilla), optional
- 1 stick (113g) butter
- 1/2 cup (125g) brown sugar
- 2/3 cup (100g) hazelnuts, toasted (go local, use American Halzelnut Co.)
- 1/3 cup (50g) almonds, toasted and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup (50g) pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons confectioner sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water, or it may burn), and gently melt the chocolate, butter, and sugar until smooth (stirring helps it melt).
- While the chocolate melts, put the cookies into a plastic bag and crush until you have relatively large bits, about 1/2″, not dust. When the chocolate’s melted, sift in the cocoa powder and add the whiskey (or vanilla).
- Once all of the above are well combined, add in the cookies, ginger bits, and nuts. Be sure all the bits are covered in chocolate. Let cool on the counter for about 30 minutes. If your kitchen is warm, place in the fridge for no more than 15 minutes to cool.
- Lay a long piece of plastic wrap on your counter (to hold the wrap in place, on the counter, drizzle a small amount of water on the counter). Place half the mixture on the plastic wrap and shape it into a salami-shaped log.
- Cover the chocolate log entirely with the wrap and firmly roll it while keeping its shape. Twist the ends to close. Repeat with the remaining chocolate on a fresh piece of plastic wrap.
- Place in the fridge for at least 6 hours until completely set. When ready to serve, you can dust on some confectioner (powdered) sugar (through a sieve) to make it look like an authentic salami. Cut in thin slices to serve.
- If giving as a gift, you can tie bits of kitchen string and dust with confectioners (powdered) sugar (tap through a sieve) to make it look more like an authentic salami, or watch this video to do a proper butcher’s tie.
- Wrap in parchment paper (affiliate link), tie the ends with pretty string or ribbon, and give as an amusing, festive gift!
Divide into smaller portions if you want to share with more friend!
Notes
Since this is a chocolate dessert/treat, the quality of your ingredients really matter. So make it with the best you can muster!
Other edible gift and dessert ideas:
- Homemade Irish Cream so much better than store bought (personal opinion!)
- For a savory twist give some Red Onion Chutney
- Brown Bread seedy and Irish!
- Bread Pudding with Irish Whiskey Sauce, yum! Might not be a show-stopper in the looker dept. but the taste will knock your socks off!
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