Description
Morzello (Morzeddhu alla Catanzarisi) is a traditional Calabrian stew made with veal tripe, offal, and a spicy tomato sauce. Slow-cooked for hours with Calabrian chili, oregano, and bay leaves, it’s a rich, hearty, and authentic taste of southern Italy, perfect with crusty bread or pitta calabrese.
Ingredients
- 500 g veal tripe (abomasum, omasus, rumen, and reticulum)
- 300 g calf offal (heart, liver)
- 100 g tomato paste
- 150 g animal fat (or olive oil, for a lighter version)
- 1.5 L tomato sauce
- 3 Calabrian chili peppers
- 10–12 bay leaves
- Pinch of salt
- 1 large bunch oregano
- Crusty bread or pitta calabrese, to serve
Instructions
- Clean the veal tripe thoroughly under running water, then boil it for 10–15 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Cut the calf heart and liver into small chunks.
- In a large pot, melt the animal fat (or heat olive oil) and add the chopped meats. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 5–10 minutes until slightly browned.
- Add the tomato sauce and enough water to almost reach the top of the pot. Stir well.
- Add bay leaves, Calabrian chili peppers, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
- Simmer gently over low heat for 5–6 hours, stirring occasionally using a bunch of oregano, as per Calabrian tradition.
- Once the sauce is thick and the meat tender, remove from heat. Discard bay leaves and serve hot with crusty bread or inside a pitta calabrese.
Notes
Use olive oil instead of animal fat for a lighter version.
Add more Calabrian chili or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
The dish improves after resting overnight as flavors deepen.
Traditionally eaten in bread, but also delicious with polenta or rice.
Freezes well for up to 2 months; reheat gently on the stove before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
