While the concept of sausage is simple, thousands of variations can be found throughout the world. Sausages can be fresh, cured, smoked, or cooked. They are made of beef, pork, veal, chicken, and more. And they can include myriad ingredients, from spices and herbs to fruits, vegetables, and cheeses—and even liquids such as beer, whiskey, or blood. Our “Sausage in Profile” series aims to introduce you to different types of sausage—their flavor profiles, histories and uses—from familiar favorites to unique finds.
Lobel’s Apricot-Cranberry Bratwurst is a mildly spiced pork sausage that is flavored with bits of dried apricots and dried cranberries. This versatile sausage has a variety of uses. With both apricots and cranberries, this sausage is the perfect mixture of sweet and tart.
A Brief Bratwurst History
Bratwurst is a German sausage that is usually made of veal, pork, or beef. The origins of bratwurst can be traced back to 1313 in Nuremberg, Germany. As with many other sausages, the recipe for bratwurst varies by location. There are believed to be over 40 varieties of the German bratwurst.
There are also regional differences in how bratwurst is prepared and served. In Germany, the traditional bratwurst is served as an appetizer with bread and hot mustard. It is also commonly served as a main dish with sides of sauerkraut or potato salad.
Bratwurst in the USA
Bratwurst is also very popular in the United States, especially in areas where there is a large population of people of German descent, like Wisconsin. Wisconsin is said to be home to the “beer brat,” a dish where the bratwurst is poached in beer before it is grilled.
Bratwurst is a celebrated sausage in the United States. Bucyrus, Ohio, the self-proclaimed “Bratwurst Capital of America,” holds a three-day Bratwurst festival every year. The festival includes daily parades, contests, auctions, live entertainment and plenty of bratwurst!
Enjoying Bratwurst
Because Bratwurst is a mildly spiced sausage, it lends itself to flavor additions like cheese or dried fruit. The dried apricots and cranberries in Lobel’s Apricot-Cranberry Bratwurst provide the perfect combination of sweet and tart.
Photo courtesy of National Pork Board
The flavors in Apricot-Cranberry Bratwurst make it a great breakfast accompaniment. It can also be used to make this delicious Apricot-Cranberry Bratwurst Stuffing for Thanksgiving.
Have you had Apricot-Cranberry Bratwurst? Have you ever been to a Bratwurst festival? Have you ever used bratwurst to make your Thanksgiving stuffing?
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