Sausage… Agourmet delicacy, yet it is the essence of nose-to-tail farm frugality.
Nothing goes to waste when all the scraps and small pieces of meat are used to make sausage.
Salting, smoking, fermenting, and drying are all ways to preserve meat for longer without refrigeration.
The History
Traditionally, sausage was made from pork, beef, or veal, but it can be made from any type of meat — including seafood.
Nearly every culture has their own sausage: Italian salami, German bratwurst, Polish kielbasa, English bangers, Irish sausage, Cajun andouille, Spanish chorizo, Brazilian Linguica de Porco, Thai Sai Krok Isan, Lebanese makanek, Chinese lop chong.
Dry cured sausages like salami and chorizo are preserved through fermentation and cultured with lactic acid to add another layer of flavor.
Cooks began adding saltpeter (potassium nitrate) — one of the first chemical preservatives — during the Middle Ages. Saltpeterkept sausages from spoiling while also retaining the fresh pink color inside. One common historical source for saltpeter was soaked, filtered bat guano.
Modern chemical preservatives like BHT, BHA, TBHQ, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate are still commonly added to commercial sausages to prevent rancidity, extend shelf life, and kill microbes. All of these, however, pose serious health threats.
Many commercially-produced sausages also contain highly processed flavorings which include GMO corn syrup solids, sucrose, dextrose, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and other hidden sources of MSG such as autolyzed yeast extract and hydrolyzed plant proteins.
Why Chemicals?
Why the need for chemicals, if traditional sausages were already effectively (and deliciously) preserved?
They cover up the flavor of low quality ingredients, speed up the curing process, and kill pathogens present on CAFO meat.
While saltpeter may have prevented botulism, it was never effective against salmonella or E. coli. And the fact is, newer preservatives and antimicrobials still can’t prevent the contamination of carelessly handled meat, or meat that already contains resistant microbes.
The addition of GMO sweeteners and excitotoxic glutamates will certainly fool taste buds into thinking they have a tasty artisanal product, but it’s all as real as the emperor’s new clothes.
Making Sausage The Right Way
Sausage made at home from the best local, pastured meats, mixed with tons of wholesome flavor, avoids all the chemicals found in processed meats.
With the right ratio of salt, pepper, and sugar, a mix of fresh pork, beef, or other ground meat can cure safely in your refrigerator. The addition of wine or vinegar strengthens the cure even more, while adding moisture and flavor. The finished product isn’t shelf stable unless dried or smoked, but this method does yield the delicious flavor of a high-end charcuterie. It also freezes well for longer storage.
This recipe calls for curing for 3 to 7 days in the refrigerator. To ensure a safe curing,don’t alter the amounts of salt, pepper, and sugar.
If pressed for time, the sausage can be mixed up and cooked the next day. The flavors won’t be as developed and it may be too salty, but if you know you aren’t going to cure it, just reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon per 1 pound of meat.
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Homemade Italian Sausage
Sausage made at home from the best local, pastured meats, mixed with tons of wholesome flavor, avoids all the chemicals found in processed meats.
Adapted from Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home.
CourseBreakfast, Main
CuisineAmerican, Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Curing 3 days
Total Time 3 days 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 164 kcal
Author Lee Burdett
Ingredients
- 2-1/2teaspoonssea saltrequired
- 3/4teaspoonground black pepperrequired
- 1/2teaspoonevaporated cane juicerequired
- 2teaspoonsground sage
- 1/2teaspoondried thyme
- 1/2teaspoonground cayenne pepperoptional
- 1bay leafcrumbled
- 1/2teaspoonfennel seedcrushed
- 1/2teaspoondried basil
- pinchred pepper flakes
- 1/2teaspoondried oregano
- 1-1/2poundspastured porkfresh ground
- 2tablespoonsred wine
- 2clovesgarlicpressed
Instructions
Prepare the spice mixture by combining the basic curing mix of salt, black pepper, and sugar with the remaining dried spices in a bowl.
Set aside.
Place the pork in a large bowl and add the spice mixture, wine, and garlic.
Combine thoroughly with your hands, much as you would knead yeast bread.
When all seasonings are incorporated, make a small test patty.
Cook the patty until done to make sure the meat holds together when cooked and to taste for seasonings.
Remember that it will be salty.
Shape the meat into a large log on a sheet of waxed paper.
Roll the paper around the log and gently squeeze it into a sausage roughly 12 to 14 inches long.
Tightly fold the ends and then wrap again in aluminum foil, making sure to seal tightly.
Place the sausage in the refrigerator to cure for 3 to 7 days.
Remember, the meat will not stay pink because it doesn't contain nitrates.
Once meat is cured, if you have a sausage stuffer, put it into casings.
To poach, fill a large saucepan with enough water to cover the sausage.
Bring the water to a near simmer and place the sausage into the pan.
Add beer, wine, broth, or spices if desired.
Keep sausage submerged for about 40 minutes with the water remaining at a gentle simmer.
Recipe Notes
Variations:
Instead of stuffing into casings,form the meat into patties to grill or fry.
Sausage can also be browned and crumbled onto pizzas or casseroles.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Italian Sausage
Amount Per Serving
Calories 164Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 41mg14%
Sodium 614mg27%
Potassium 172mg5%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 104IU2%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
The World Is Your Sausage
You can develop so many delicious sausages with this recipe. Keep the basic salt, pepper, and sugar ratio for each 1-1/2 pounds of meat, and then get creative with your favorite seasonings!
Julia Child liked bay leaf, clove, mace, nutmeg, paprika, thyme, cinnamon, savory, and white pepper.Diversify your flavors with mixes like herbes de Provence, taco seasoning (scroll down page), or garam masala.
Find your favorite meat, too — such as lamb, chicken, turkey, wild game, or even shrimp.
And give my other sausage recipes a try!
The world is your sausage. 🙂
Do you make your own sausages? Would you like to try?
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