Sausage is often thought of as comfort food to be enjoyed only in winter. That’s not at all the case, as these five sausage recipes are perfect for any summer backyard barbeque.
Sausage Calzones
Bring a can of refrigerated pizza dough to room temperature. Meanwhile, grill sliced onions and bell peppers over a medium grill until they have caramelized. Place sausages directly on the grate and smother with the onion and pepper mixture. Roll out pizza dough and cut into rectangles that are approximately 9″ x 5″. Spread a bit of marina sauce over the dough, then add the sausage mixture. Cover with cheese and fold dough over, pressing edges with a fork to seal. Bake at 500 degrees for 15 minutes or until done.
Barbeque Smoked Sausage
Grill smoked sausage over medium-high heat until it is well done. Remove and cut into very thin slices. Place into a large kettle along with a bottle of your favorite barbeque sauce, some diced onion, a few jalapeno peppers, and a dash or two of hot sauce. Allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes in order to combine flavors. You may then use your cooked sausage in baked beans, or place toothpicks in individual pieces of meat and serve as an appetizer.
Mango Sausage Wraps
Over a medium grill, slice turkey links in half and cook until well done. Warm tortilla shells by placing them on the grill for about 30 seconds before turning. Add cooked sausages to shells, then drizzle with a mixture of light mayonnaise, lemon or lime juice, and curry powder. Cover with spinach leaves and slices of mango, then roll up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
Sausage and Summer Squash
Cut a summer squash into one-inch chunks. Place into a large mixing bowl along with one pound of Italian sausage. Baste with a mixture of olive oil and your choice of herbs and spices (cilantro, thyme, and basil are all good choices.) Place on a hot grill, turning frequently to ensure the sausage cooks evenly. Serve over a bed of rice or noodles. You may also substitute the summer squash for zucchini, spaghetti squash, or a similar vegetable such as eggplant.
Zucchini Sausage Boats
Cut a large zucchini (preferably eggplant size or bigger) in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides. Brush the entire vegetable inside and out with olive oil. In a skillet, brown ground Italian sausage, red pepper, diced tomato, salt, pepper, and basil. Drain sausage mixture, and place in a clean bowl. Next, take zucchini halves and place them face down on the grill so that the rounded side is up. Grill until nice and tender, then remove and fill with your sausage mixture. Place back on the grill hollow side up and cook until fully roasted. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and enjoy.
As you can see, sausage is a versatile meat that is perfect for grilling. Plan on making one or more of these dishes at your next get-together, and you are sure to please even the pickiest members of any crowd.