Loukaniko is the common Greek word for pork sausages distinctively flavored with orange peel. It is a favorite local delicacy since ancient times and has continued being produced in the same way and avidly consumed by today Messinians. Christmas traditional food in Greece include many delicacies based on pork such as fried pork (tigania), fried pork chunks (tsigarides), home cured pork (siglino), salted and smoked lean pork (apaki), pork sausages (loukaniko), pork brawn (pichti) and others.
Red meat contains high biological value protein, complex B vitamins, iron, zinc, and selenium. It actually constitutes one of the best sources of iron, magnesium, B12 vitamin and zinc. However, it also is a source of saturated (bad) fat and cholesterol. The low consumption of pork is thus recommended taking into account that studies associate processed red meat with a higher risk of colon cancer.