Pork sausages

Delicious Pork Sausage Recipe
*Servings: 8-10 servings*
*Preparation time: 30 minutes*
*Drying time: 1-2 days*
*Total time: 1-2 days and 30 minutes*

Pork sausages are a Romanian delicacy, perfect for enjoying during the holiday season. This traditional recipe is simple but requires a bit of patience, as it is usually prepared on the day of the pig slaughter. I will guide you step by step to achieve juicy, flavorful sausages with the perfect texture.

Necessary ingredients:
- 1 kg minced pork (choose meat with a fat content of about 20-30% for a richer taste)
- 4-5 cloves of garlic (crush them well for an intense aroma)
- Salt (about 20-25 g, but adjust to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste, 1-2 tablespoons)
- Paprika (sweet or smoked, according to preference, 1-2 tablespoons)
- 50-100 ml warm water (helps to homogenize the mixture)
- Thin pork intestines (make sure they are well cleaned and washed)

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparing the meat:
In a large bowl, place the minced pork. Make sure it is fresh and of good quality. Add the crushed garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and paprika. These spices are essential for achieving a special taste.

2. Adding water:
Gradually pour the warm water into the meat mixture, stirring continuously. This step will help achieve a more uniform composition, and the sausages will be juicier.

3. Filling the intestines:
Use a meat grinder fitted with a funnel for filling sausages. Place the pork intestines on the funnel, being careful not to leave any empty spaces. Fill them with the meat mixture, but not too tightly, to prevent them from bursting during cooking.

4. Forming the sausages:
Twist the intestines at intervals of about 20 cm to form portions of sausages. Tie the ends with kitchen twine or twist them tightly.

5. Drying:
Place the sausages on a drying rack or wooden support in a cool, well-ventilated place for 1-2 days. Drying will intensify the flavors and help preserve them.

6. Storing:
Once dried, the sausages can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days or smoked to give them an even more intense flavor.

Serving:
Pork sausages are delicious fried in oil, served alongside various sides such as mashed potatoes, pickles, or salads. A wonderful idea is to serve them with mustard sauce or spicy tomato sauce.

Personalized variant:
For a unique touch, you can add some herbs like dill or thyme to the meat mixture, or experiment with different types of peppers to achieve spicy or smoked sausages.

Now that you know how to prepare these delicious pork sausages, don't hesitate to try them at home! They will surely become a family favorite, especially during the holidays. Enjoy every bite and embrace the Romanian culinary tradition!