Bacon and pancetta are both made from pork bellies; the difference between them lies in how they’re prepared and cured. To make bacon, pork belly sides are brined and then smoked (Here's a DIY bacon from Bruce Aidells, if you'd like to try this). Pancetta, the Italian version of bacon, is made by seasoning a pork belly side with salt and lots of pepper, curling it into a tight roll, and wrapping it in a casing to hold the shape. It’s cured, but it isn’t smoked. Most people should have ready access to bacon in its various forms—thin-or thick-sliced, slab (unsliced)—but traditional Italian Pancetta can be harder to find. Dolceterra selected a wonderful Bacon in Central Italy (Norcia, Umbria) truly unrivalled.

Pancetta Norcia - Peppered half can be eaten freshly cut or cooked.