Peripheral Chew

Charcuterie is one of many cooking terms that has lost its exact meaning along the way.

Once referring to a specific preservation technique of pork, the term now refers to a plate of a hodgepodge of meats, cheeses, and spreads.

I’m not being paid by Trader Joe’s, but I should say that I bought everything you see on the plate from Trader Joe’s with the exception of the cantaloupe and brown mustard. The total? Less than $30.

There are leftovers. That meats you’re paying ~$30 for 3-4 plates overall. An outright steal.

Counterclockwise: Kalamata olives, Irish Cheddar, red grapes, smoked salmon, two kinds of salami, prosciutto, cantaloupe, and chili-spiced dried mango slices.

I couldn’t stop talking about how delicious it was as I was eating everything. I was that guy. This plate of cheap charcuterie made me that guy.