What Is Chorizo?

Chorizo is a popular traditional Latin American food. It varies slightly depending on the country that it comes from, as individual national culinary customs affect the product. Chorizo is made of a variety of different pork sausages, and is either served already cooked, fermented and smoked, or purchased fresh so that it needs to be cooked after purchased.

Identification

This Spanish meat looks like a typical link of sausage. A tube of intestinal lining is filled with various pork sausage meats and then tied at either end to keep the meat inside. The surface of chorizo is smooth and the meats are different colors, ranging from browns to reds to oranges, depending on the type. Sometimes peppers can be seen mixed in with the meat when it is cut. Usually these peppers are spicy, such as jalapeno peppers, but more mild red peppers are also seen.

Types

There are a number of different types of chorizo that can be purchased, depending on the regions in which they are made. Spanish chorizo is the traditional type, made of pork and pork fat, with paprika and salt added. Portuguese chorizo is pretty much the same, but red wine is used in its production. Argentine chorizo, though typically using pork meat, sometimes adds other meats into the mix, such as beef, which the country is well known for.

Function

Chorizo can be cooked and eaten in a number of ways, depending on your taste. In Europe, it is usually smoked and sold that way, so it can be eaten cold on crackers or in sandwiches. Fresh chorizo is popular in the United States, though it is sold everywhere. This can be sautéed along with vegetables or boiled in stews. It is used in sandwiches after being grilled as well, and is served during breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner.

Benefits

While chorizo cannot be considered a health food, it does offer some essential vitamins and minerals. Chorizo is an excellent source of protein; 60 grams of chorizo gives you about 29 percent of your daily protein need. It is also a good source of thiamine, vitamin B6 and B12, as well as niacin. Zinc and selenium are also present in decent amounts.

Warning

Eating too much chorizo can be dangerous for your health, despite the fact that is a good source of protein and various vitamins. One reason is because of the high sodium content. One serving has about 741 milligrams of sodium, which is 31 percent of your daily need. An excess of sodium in your diet can lead to heart problems. There is also a high presence of saturated fat, which also contributes to heart risks and is a leading factor in coronary heart disease.