Italian Fennel Sausage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is fennel sausage the same as Italian sausage? ›

Fennel is the spice that gives Italian sausage its Italian flavor. Often the fennel is a mixture of whole or cracked fennel seed and ground fennel. The whole or cracked fennel seed will help to give good visibility to the spice while the ground fennel will contribute a very distinctive fennel flavor.

While other spices may be added to the Italian sausage, the prominent spices should always be fennel and basil. The original Sicilian sausage uses coarser ground meat and higher levels of fat while the Americanized versions are usually using finely ground meat and lower fat levels.

The natural sweetness and slight licorice-like flavor of fennel contrast and complement the savory, often spicy notes of sausage. Whether used as whole seeds, ground, or sautéed bulb, fennel adds a distinct element to sausage dishes.

Italian sausage is ground pork often flavored with garlic and fennel seed. It comes in two different styles, sweet or hot. Hot Italian sausage usually is flavored with spicy red pepper, while the sweet version has no pepper in it.

The red pepper flakes are what give the spicy varieties of Italian sausage their signature kick, while fennel is the hallmark flavor that makes it distinct from other kinds of sausage.

Rinaldi Fennel Sausage, commonly referred to as sweet Italian, is your traditional Italian sausage. The notes of anise derive from the use of ground fennel seed mixed with just the right amount of salt and pepper to achieve the traditional flavors of southern Italy.

The Godfather

A criminally good blend of salt, pepper, fennel, anise and Italian pork sausage.

Chipolatas are often prepared as a relatively thin and short sausage. Chipolatas are typically made from coarse-ground pork seasoned with salt and pepper together with herbs and spices—according to the particular recipe—such as sage, thyme, pimento, or nutmeg.

The main difference in Italian sausage when compared to other sausages is the seasoning. The particular ingredient that usually sets Italian sausage apart is fennel. This is a licorice scented herb that gives Italian sausage its unique taste that is different than other types of sausage.

For example, Italians often eat fennel raw at the end of a meal, saying it helps with digestion and cleansing. If you do a quick search, you'll find that Fennel Bulbs are an impressive source of dietary fiber, which we all know is amazing for digestion and gut health!

What are the side effects of fennel? ›

Italians often eat this at the end of a meal to cleanse the palate. The bulb can be sliced up and used in salads for an extra depth of flavor you never knew was missing – especially with mandarin oranges, balsamic and salt!

It is a penicillin-based mold similar to the white mold you will find on a fine cheese like a French Brie or Camembert. It's a natural part of the fermentation process of producing artisanal salumi, and the salami mold has its own flavor and flora.

From Mantua's salamella to Umbrian sausage up to Monza's luganega; the tour of Italy should also include sausages from Naples and Calabria, which claim to have the best fresh sausage in all of Italy.

INGREDIENTS. Pork, Water, Contains 2% Or Less: Corn Syrup, Salt, Natural Flavor, Vinegar, Sugar, Sea Salt, Paprika, Pork Broth.

Tuscan pig being butchered in Cetona, the meat soon to be made into various sausages and other cured meat. Sausage in Italian is salsiccia, pronounced sahl-seech-chah. Listen to the pronunciation of salsiccia: Dried sausage in Italian is salsiccia secca, pronounced sahl-seech-chah sehk-kah.

Spanish Chorizo as a Substitute

Spanish chorizo is a popular choice for substituting Italian sausage, thanks to its bold flavors and rich smokiness. Similar to Italian sausage, chorizo adds depth and complexity to dishes with its distinct blend of spices, including smoked paprika, garlic, and chili peppers.

Mortadella – Large Italian (pork) sausage. 'Nduja – Italian spicy, spreadable sausage made with pork. Salami – Cured sausage, fermented and air-dried meat. Soppressata – Italian dry salami (sausage) Sopressa – Italian aged salume.