Broccoli Rabe Sausage Links with Provolone | 8 lb
$ 129.98
Broccoli Rabe Italian Sausage Links with Provolone
- Fresh Italian sausage links made with pork shoulder, broccoli rabe and aged Provolone.
- Broccoli rabe is mixed into the sausage, not simply served alongside it.
- Natural casings give the links the traditional snap of butcher made Italian sausage.
- 8 pounds total, packed as four separate 2 pound packages for easier freezing and cooking.
Made Fresh to Order Broccoli Rabe Aged Provolone Natural Casings
These are fresh Italian sausage links with broccoli rabe and Provolone mixed directly into the sausage. They are different from ordinary Italian sausage served with broccoli rabe on the side. The greens and cheese are part of every link, giving the sausage a savory pork flavor, a slightly bitter note from the broccoli rabe and pockets of melted Provolone as it cooks.
Broccoli rabe sausage is one of those combinations that makes sense as soon as you taste it. Pork brings richness, broccoli rabe cuts through that richness with its distinctive green flavor, and sharp Provolone brings everything together.
We make these links fresh for your order using pork shoulder and natural casings. They are prepared like the sausage you would expect from an Italian butcher counter, then packed cold for shipment.
What Is Broccoli Rabe Sausage?
Broccoli rabe, also called rapini, is a leafy green known for its pleasantly bitter flavor. In this sausage, chopped broccoli rabe is blended into the seasoned pork along with Provolone cheese before the sausage is stuffed into natural casings.
The result is not the same as cooking plain sausage and adding greens afterward. The broccoli rabe and cheese flavor the sausage from the inside while it cooks.
What Does Broccoli Rabe Sausage Taste Like?
- Savory pork: Pork shoulder gives the sausage its rich, meaty base.
- Broccoli rabe: Adds the slightly bitter green flavor people associate with traditional Italian broccoli rabe dishes.
- Provolone: Melts into the sausage and adds a sharp, creamy cheese flavor.
- Natural casing: Browns on the outside while helping keep the meat and cheese juicy inside.
Broccoli Rabe Sausage Links or Sausage Ring?
The flavor combination may be similar, but the shape and eating experience are different.
These sausage links are individual butcher style links that are easy to grill, pan cook, roast, place on a hero or slice into pasta.
Broccoli Rabe Chevalatta is a thinner sausage made as a continuous coiled ring. It is usually cooked as a whole wheel and sliced after cooking.
If you prefer a thinner ring see our Broccoli Rabe Chevalatta Sausage Ring.
How to Cook Broccoli Rabe Sausage Links
Cook these links gradually so the pork cooks through without splitting the casing or allowing the melted Provolone and juices to escape.
- Thaw first: Defrost the sausage in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.
- Do not pierce the casing: A fork or knife allows juices and melted cheese to escape.
- Cook over moderate heat: Brown the links gradually rather than using very high heat.
- Cook to temperature: Pork sausage should reach 160°F in the center.
- Rest briefly: Give the links a few minutes before slicing so the juices remain inside.
For complete stovetop, oven and grill directions, see our guide to cooking Italian sausage.
Ways to Serve Broccoli Rabe Sausage
These links are especially good when the sausage is allowed to be the main flavor of the meal. Serve them whole with roasted potatoes and peppers, slice them into pasta, or put them on crusty Italian bread with sautéed greens and extra Provolone.
They are also a natural match for orecchiette. Slice the browned sausage and toss it with pasta, garlic, olive oil and additional broccoli rabe for a simple Italian dinner.
Pack Size and Shipping
- Total weight: 8 pounds.
- Packaging: Four individual 2 pound packages.
- Preparation: Made fresh to order.
- Shipping: Packed in insulated packaging and shipped by expedited service.
- Address: Fresh meat must ship to a physical street address. We cannot ship this item to a P.O. Box.
Broccoli Rabe Sausage Q&A
Is the broccoli rabe actually inside the sausage?
Yes. The broccoli rabe is blended into the pork before the sausage is stuffed into its casing. It is not simply a side of broccoli rabe served with plain Italian sausage.
Is there cheese in the sausage?
Yes. Provolone is mixed into the sausage and forms savory pockets of melted cheese as the links cook.
What is the difference between broccoli rabe sausage links and Chevalatta?
The links are individual butcher style sausages. Chevalatta is thinner and formed into one continuous coiled sausage ring that is usually cooked whole before slicing.
Can I freeze the sausage?
Yes. The order is divided into separate 2 pound packages so you can cook what you need and keep the remaining packages frozen for another meal.
Francesco's Tip: Do not puncture these links while they cook. The casing holds in the pork juices and the melted Provolone. Cook them gradually, let the outside brown and slice them only after they have had a few minutes to rest.