It’s important to note that soppressata is a type of salami. Compared to most salami, soppressata is different because it’s made with leaner cuts that are coarsely ground. Plus, it’s typically pressed after it is stuffed into the casing and starts to dry. The “pressing” not only lends itself to the oblong finished shape but also its name. In contrast, most salami contains finer ground meat and comes in a cylindrical shape.