Zampone comes from the ancient Modenese tradition and made its appearance in Mirandola during the siege by Pope Julius II. The locals, to hide the pigs so they wouldn't fall into the hands of the invaders, slaughtered all the animals and put the minced meat into the legs and rind (hence the cotechino). The particular shape of the Zampone and the softness guaranteed by this type of container remained forever up to the present day. Emile Zola was fond of it and always said, "if you want joy, zampone brings joy to a sad soul!"
