WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2014 – October is National Sausage Month, and Americans surveyed have crowned a king. An online survey found Italian sausage edging out breakfast sausage as America’s favorite, with kielbasa and bratwurst in the number three and four slots.
This news comes from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC), who worked with Harris Poll to survey more than 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.
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Overall, 84 percent of Americans say they enjoy sausage, but their preferences vary by region as follows:· -- In the Northeastern U.S., Italian is tops.
· -- About 31 percent of Southerners say breakfast sausage is their favorite, but they also like andouille.
· -- Midwesterners are bigger bratwurst eaters than others, while chorizo is more popular in the West than other parts of the country.
“Much like hot dogs, where favorites vary regionally, local culture seems to play a significant role in sausage choices,” said Janet Riley, NHDSC president and the so-called “Queen of Wien.” “While historically, choices were more limited to local options, a wide variety of sausages are available to consumers all over the country.”
For National Sausage Month, the NHDSC also asked fans for creative sausage recipes to be whipped up in less than 20 minutes. Tom Kellman of Lakeland, Florida, took top honors with his Italian Sausage Variety Ring, a mix of salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese stuffed in a crescent roll shell. Hot Hot Smoked Sausage and Beans, created by Hidemi Walsh of Plainfield, Indiana, was also hot with the judges. Nicole Filizetti of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was a winner with her Spanish Style Sausage and Seafood Skillet. Among the prizes – you guessed it – gift cards for sausage.
Visit the NHDSC website for everything you want to know about sausage, including a sausage glossary, tips for cooking link sausage, and a connoisseur’s guide to beer and sausage. The site also includes a charcuterie guide with pointers for pairing sausage, cheese and wines.
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