I don't eat pork.
mah-YAH-leh — stress on second syllable. The 'ai' is a diphthong pronounced like 'eye'.
Essential for Muslim, Jewish, or personally motivated diners. Italian cured meats (salumi) often feature pork, so check appetizer boards and pasta sauces carefully.
'Carne di maiale' literally means 'meat of pig'. The 'di' here shows possession/type. Many Italian staples — prosciutto, pancetta, salame, mortadella — are pork products, so this restriction requires vigilance.
Niente prosciutto, per favore.
No ham, please.
Specific to prosciutto — useful for pizza and antipasto.
La pancetta è carne di maiale?
Is pancetta pork?
Clarification question — yes, pancetta is cured pork belly.
Questo sugo contiene carne di maiale?
Does this sauce contain pork?
Many pasta sauces use guanciale or pancetta.
Guanciale (cured pork cheek) is the authentic ingredient in carbonara and amatriciana. Many Roman restaurants will not substitute it — ask about alternatives like cacio e pepe or gricia-style variations.