What is "charcuterie"?

Charcuterie refers to a type of cuisine that focuses on the preparation and preservation of meat products, such as sausages, pâtés, and cured meats. The term "charcuterie" comes from the French words "chair" and "cuit," which mean "flesh" and "cooked," respectively. Charcuterie can be traced back to ancient times when people needed to preserve meat for long periods without refrigeration. Today, charcuterie has become a popular way to showcase a variety of cured meats and other savory snacks on a platter for entertaining or as a light meal. A typical charcuterie board might include items such as salami, prosciutto, ham, pâté, cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit, and olives.