How to Choose Organic Sausages
Sausage is a versatile food-- you can have it for breakfast with eggs or dinner mixed in with pasta. But if you're worried about the hormones, antibiotics, nitrites (which have been linked to cancer) and other "mystery meat" added into the sausage, that doesn't mean you have to give it up completely. Try organic. Here are some suggestions of delicious sausages from companies that also practice sustainable farming. Does this Spark an idea?
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Applegate Farms. What's best about this company is what isn't in their products: hormone free, antibiotic free, nitrites free, gluten and casein free. The animals are free-roaming and fed vegetarian diets. In addition to cold cuts, cheeses, hot dogs and bacon, Applegate makes great organic chicken sausages that have 7 grams of fat or less. My favorites include the New Orleans-inspired Organic Andouille Sausage (a little spicy), the Greek-inspired Organic Spinach & Feta Sausage and the Organic Chicken & Apple Sausage, which is great for breakfast. They also offer pork sausages which are higher in fat content, but there is absolutely no filler or unidentifiable meat in any of their products (even their hot dogs).
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Organic Valley uses Prairie Chickens for their sausages. With ingredients like organic fennel, organic paprika, organic rosemary extract, organic anise and other organic spices added to their chicken, these sausages are definitely a treat! They are higher in fat than Applegate farms (10 g per link) but also higher in protein (14 g per link). The company has received many prestigious awards such as the 2008 Ecological Farming Association Sustie Award for their dedication and responsible agriculture, as well as the 2007 Glynwood Center Harvest Award for "honoring creativity and leadership in the sustainable food movement." They also have great dairy products too.
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Litchfield Farms Organic Angera Pork Products uses organic pork and organic spices. Choices include Italian Sausage (spicy), Breakfast Sausages (leaner & mild flavor), Luganiga (mild tasting and coiled rather than linked), Spanish Chorizo made with red pepper and paprika (these are my favorite, as well as seasonal specialties). This company has been around for 75 years and recently relocated from New Jersey to Connecticut.
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Hudson Valley Smokehouses are the only ones in the Northeast that offer U.S.D.A. Certified Organic Smoked Meats. Hudson Valley, committed to practicing safe agriculture, prefers traditional methods that include slow-smoking and avoids adding fillers like water and phosphates to their meats. They make artisanal specialty products that include smoked meats, fish, chicken and even gift baskets. Their variety of sausages includes: Irish Banger Sausage (made with sage), Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Sausage (a savory taste and leaner than most sausages), lightly smoked Chorizo sausage, and German-style bratwurst. I've tried the Irish Banger for breakfast with eggs and toast and it is Delicious! But try the other varieties as well!
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Tips & Warnings
*To prolong the life of sausage, see if you can freeze it. Usually it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Check the label or call the companies directly to confirm.
*Always check expiration dates-- organic meat, since it does not have preservatives, can spoil faster.
