Baby, Light My Fire

By
Appears in the November 2021 issue.

Sicilian fare is as hot as Palermo in late July. Ditto for Joe Farina’s Calabrian pork chops at Victory Meat & Seafood in Elmhurst. Inspired by his mom’s chops, the 16-ounce center-cuts are pounded flat, breaded, and sautéed in a slightly piquant sauce made with Calabrian cherry peppers, white wine, garlic, and a secret ingredient: pepperoncini juice. Says Farina: “It’s just the right spice level—medium spicy, but not blazing hot.”

Photo courtesy Victory Meat & Seafood