The traditional 'nduja was invented most likely around the time when Calabria was a Spanish dominion. 

I explained to my customer that I was not a farmer but a small producer who sources produce from a network of 23 + farms and coops directly. We take whatever they deem as "ugly" or "seconds" and cook, preserve and pickle them into a pantry product that can be enjoyed by customers year round.

Only three years ago this past weekend the Cooking Channel came to my house to shoot an episode of Not My Mama's Meals in my garden and kitchen.