What is "bresaola"

n. air-dry salt-cured beef fillet that has been aged about 2-3 months until it becomes very hard and a dark red, almost purple colour.

Bresaola is air-dried, salted beef that has been aged two or three months until it becomes hard and turns a dark red, almost purple colour. It is made from top (inside) round, and is lean and tender, with a sweet, musty smell. It originated in Valtellina, a valley in the Alps of northern Italy's Lombardy region.

The word comes from the diminutive of Lombard bresada ( braised).