By: Nick Heitman, Meat & Seafood Category Manager
Fizzeology Bavarian Sauerkraut + Willy Street Co-op Smoky Rosemary Garlic Sausage
Sauerkraut and bratwurst is a pairing as old as time, and for good reason. Try rendering a little bacon in a sauce pan and add a jar of the Fizzeology Bavarian sauerkraut. Let this simmer on low heat until the sauerkraut begins to carmelize; if you’re feeling fancy, add some currants and caraway seeds. Top your favorite grilled sausage (with or without a bun!), but I think it goes best with the Smoky Rosemary Garlic Sausage available in our Meat department.
Mina Spicy Harissa Sauce + Willy Street Co-op Moroccan Lamb Sausage
I love the flavor pairing of a sweet, spicy sausage with a yogurt-based sauce. Our well-loved Moroccan Lamb Sausagefeaturing local lamb, curry spices, pomegranate juice, and currants pairs really well with a flavorful yogurt sauce. Try mixing a healthy spoonful of Mina Spicy Harissa sauce with your favorite Greek yogurt to create an easy condiment for the grilled lamb sausage.
Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha + Willy Street Co-op Italian Sausage
Sometimes hot sauces get a bad rap as being nothing but a vessel for heat and not lending any flavor. All of the Yellowbird hot sauces buck this trend. The blue agave sriracha in particular has plenty of sweetness from agave nectar, dates, and garlic to cut through the spice and enhance anything it’s added to. Try sautéing some bell pepper and sweet onions with a squeeze of this sriracha to top your Italian sausage (chicken or pork!) to take it to the next level.
Quick-Pickled Escabeche + Driftless Provisions Hot Dogs
After years of careful research, I’ve discovered a sure-fire way to determine whether a taqueria is going to live up to the
highest standards. Look for the big jar of escabeche (spicy pickled vegetables) on the counter, and you are sure to find great tacos. My research has also led me to discover that escabeche is a great condiment for all sorts of things outside of tacos. It’s also really easy to make, and can be a great outlet for excess garden vegetables. Traditional escabeche includes jalapeños, carrots, cauliflower, and onion all roughly chopped to your preference. Use your preferred quick pickle ratio (I like 1 cup of white vinegar, ⅔ cup of sugar, and a tablespoon of salt dissolved over medium heat) and allow the vegetables to brine for at least an hour before serving.
Koops’ Spicy Brown Mustard + Driftless Provisions Bratwurst
You probably don’t need a reminder that brats and mustard pair well together, but I think it’s worth calling out these two exceptional local products to consider for your next barbeque, tailgate, or late-night snack. You can’t really go wrong with any of the varieties of Koops’, but I’m partial to the Spicy Brown when brats are on the menu. The Driftless Provisions brats are flavorful and have a great snap.
