Tobă

Experience the rich flavors of traditional Romanian Tobă, a delightful pork head cheese infused with garlic and spices. Perfect for festive gatherings or a hearty family meal, this dish brings warmth to any occasion.

• 1 kg pork head
• 500 g pork meat
• 300 g pork fat
• 4 pcs garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 pc pig bladder
• 250 ml water

Method

1. 1

   Begin by boiling the cleaned pork head in a large pot with water for about 1 hour, until tender.

2. 2

   Once tender, remove the meat, let it cool slightly, and chop it into small pieces along with the pork meat and fat.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped meat, garlic, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to incorporate all the flavors.

4. 4

   Stuff the mixture into the prepared pig bladder, leaving some space to allow for expansion during cooking.

5. 5

   Sew the bladder securely to prevent the filling from escaping while boiling.

6. 6

   Place the stuffed bladder into a large pot of boiling water, and simmer for about 1 hour, ensuring it is fully cooked.

7. 7

   After cooking, remove the bladder from the pot and let it cool at room temperature for a few hours or until set.

8. 8

   Once set, slice the Tobă into pieces and serve as a traditional Romanian delicacy, often paired with mustard or pickles.