The tail is considered offal, nicknamed in Rome the quinto quarto (lit.

Tomatoes and red wine are added,[1] and then the mixture is cooked further with a soffritto of onions, garlic, prosciutto, pancetta and some other ingredients.

During the final phase of cooking, a bouquet garni of bay leaves, celery stalks, and cloves is put in the pot for flavouring.

[3] Coda is usually prepared to taste sweet and sour, usually using raisins, or sometimes candied fruit or a small amount of grated bittersweet chocolate.

[5][6] Coda is the favourite dish of the protagonist Giacinto Mazzatella (Nino Manfredi) in Down and Dirty.