Italian-style sausages marry superbly with finocchio, aka fennel, on this one-dish meal for all seasons. It’s a crowd pleaser that additionally consists of potatoes, and you may spherical out the dish with a seasonal veggie — e.g. peas in springtime, butternut within the fall. Right here in France I used the available saucisses de Toulouse, which like Italian sausages are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Nevertheless it could possibly be argued that the Italian selection is best.
Saucisses-fenouil-pommes de terre / Sausages with finocchio and potato
The distinction is that, usually, saucisses de Toulouse comprise little seasoning, if any, apart from salt and pepper, whereas Italian sausages are sometimes seasoned with fennel seeds and typically embody scorching pepper and/or herbs, equivalent to basil, as effectively. As Italian sausages are usually not that simple to seek out in Paris, whereas saucisses de Toulouse might be present in any grocery store, I selected the latter and compensated by including fennel seeds, garlic and a crushed cayenne pepper to the combination whereas sautéing the sausage and finocchio.
However, you could effectively ask, why are the French sausages known as saucisses de Toulouse if they are often present in any grocery store throughout the nation? Properly, mes amis, this sort of sausage is certainly stated to originated within the venerable southwest metropolis of Toulouse — also called ‘the rosy metropolis’ as a result of shade of its buildings. Individuals from different areas tried it, preferred it and started making it in their very own neck of the woods. This, in fact, incensed the effective individuals of Toulouse, who’ve since added a Purple Label for ‘veritable saucisses de Toulouse‘ which are made in accordance with conventional strategies, with few components.
What I like about this dish is its versatility. If it’s summer season, you possibly can add tomatoes — and even skip the potatoes for those who like. In winter you possibly can substitute candy potatoes for normal potatoes, or use each. Preparation could be very easy, with slightly chopping and sautéing after which the dish simmers for about 20 minutes in water or, higher, do-it-yourself rooster broth to permit the potatoes to cook dinner and the flavors to mix. Begin or end with a inexperienced salad, accompany with a bottle of sturdy purple and also you’ll be all set.
Pleased cooking.
