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Turkish Dry Fermented Sausage (Sujuk)
Sujuk (or sucuk) is an important part of Turkish cuisine, and it is prepared by mixing minced meat with salt and various spices and stuffing them into the casing. The casing can be a natural animal intestine or artificial supplies.
Even though sujuk is sometimes referred to as sausage or fermented sausage, those names are not commonly used in Turkey. It is a typical product that represents Turkish people’s taste very well, and it is a popular food. It is not only famous in Turkey, but this Turkish delicatessen is also known all around the world with the same or a different name. It is commonly consumed at breakfasts in Turkey, but there are so many more ways to consume sujuk.
ABout Sujuk
What is Sujuk?
Sujuk is a product that is derived from minced meat (typically beef or mutton) and fat, salt, spices, and some preservatives. This mixture can be either put into the gut of some animals or other artificially made casings for sujuk. The most important spices used while making sujuk are black pepper powder, cumin, and red pepper powder. Additionally, garlic is another important ingredient for sujuk. There are different kinds of sujuks according to the meat used and the preparation method.
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History of the sujuk
There is no precise information about how, when, and by who sujuk was invented. But it has been always said that sujuk was first invented in Kayseri, a city in Turkey that is in the central Anatolia region. Also, there are different stories about how sujuk was first invented.
One of the stories about how was sujuk invented is about the farmworkers in Anatolia. It has been said that those workers were not able to find meat often, so they needed to come up with a solution to keep their limited meat fresh and delicious. Additionally, because of the heat and moisture in the fields, it becomes nearly impossible to store meat. Therefore, they put plenty of spices, to not let it spoil too soon. But the seasoned meat still needed to not get in contact with air to keep its freshness even longer, hence they came up with the idea to put the mince in an animal’s intestines. Cleaned and dried intestines helped to keep mince fresh for a long time.
Sujuk in Turkish cuisine
Some of the most popular dish ideas for sujuk
Egg with sujuk
In many households in Turkey, egg with sujuk is almost a must for breakfast, especially on the weekend when family gatherings happen. It is a quite simple yet delicious meal to have. First, sujuk needs to be cooked in a pan (oil is unnecessary since sujuk itself has fat), and then the eggs need to be put. Eggs can be in any way you want, scrambled, omelet, or sunny side up. But typically, egg with sujuk is made with a sunny side up style, in
rare or medium-cooked eggs.
Sujuk Sandwich
Sujuk with bread is another important dish that you can prepare with sujuk, and it is simple to do. You just need to cook the sujuks in a pan or a barbecue and put it in a bread-like sandwich. That is it
Sujuk pizza
Pizza with Sujuk is a popular pizza type in Turkey. Besides preparing at home, you can find it in most of the famous pizza chains. The most basic type of sujuk pizza is made only with tomato paste,
mozzarella cheese, and sujuk. Yet there are various creative recipes that sujuk pizza can be prepared.
Sujuk pastries
Sujuk is also put in pastries, especially in stores that sell bakery products. Various pastries with sujuk filling are present. You may also find tiny pizzas in those stores with sujuks. Pastries that include sujuk are often preferred to be eaten at breakfast, but they can be also consumed as a snack
Sujuk as an appetizer
Besides sujuk’s dexterity to be eaten in breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it can also be served as an appetizer. Sometimes, just raw plain sujuk is served, as well as cooked in tiny slices.
White bean with sujuk
White bean is a dish that is very famous in Turkey. It is made with dried beans and usually added meat cubes. But there is another alternative way to do it with sujuk. White bean meal in Turkey, is typically served with rice
Pasta with Sujuk
Another beloved dish, which serves mostly in fine dining restaurants is pasta with sujuk.
The rich spicy flavor combines perfectly with Al Dente pasta, topped with Napolitano sauce.
Melty Cheesy Toast with Sujuk
Another popular snack for High-Tea is the toasted Sujuk together with Mozzarella cheese and served with French fries.
Just like Club Sandwich, but toasted and warm.
Pan Fried Sujuk with Tomato and Capsicum
- Cube-sliced Fresh Tomato & small sliced Capsicum of all colors.
- Becomes a festive dish when pan-fried together by adding a teaspoon of butter.
- Seasoning with dry thyme, basil and chopped fresh parsley even enhances the taste.
