Definition: An Italian Macelleria is a butcher shop. You'll find fresh meat, sausage, and cured meats like salami and prosciutto in a Macelleria.
How is an Italian Macelleria Different than an American Butcher Shop?
The Italian macelleria will have fewer pre-butchered products. If you ask for a slice of turkey that you want to make into scallopini, the butcher will slice the required number of scallops from a turkey breast for you while you wait. There is also a wider variety of meat and poultry in an Italian macelleria. You'll probably find rabbit and horse, and sometimes donkey meat in a macelleria. If a macelleria features only horse, it will be called a Macelleria Equina.There is also likely to be a greater variety of poultry and poultry products in an Italian macelleria--commonly including pheasant, quail, and a variety of types of chicken. There is also a greater variety of cured meats than you'll probably find in a typical US butcher shop. Some macellerie (the plural of macelleria) also carry prepared picnic products and other items like wine and vinegars.
Pronunciation: ma-chel-er-EE-a
