What You’ll Need
To cook musetto, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of pork shoulder
- 1/2 pound of pork fatback
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- Cooking twine
Step 1: Prepare the Meat
Start by cutting the pork shoulder and pork fatback into small, bite-sized pieces. Make sure to remove any excess fat. In a large bowl, combine the pork shoulder, pork fatback, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Step 2: Grind the Meat
Using a meat grinder or a food processor, grind the meat mixture. If you prefer a finer texture, pass the mixture through the grinder or processor a second time. This will help create a smoother mouthfeel in the final product.
Step 3: Stuff the Sausage
Attach a sausage stuffer attachment to your meat grinder or use a standalone sausage stuffer. Fill the stuffer with the ground meat mixture. Slide a piece of cooking twine through the end of a musetto casing and tie a knot at the other end. Carefully push the casing onto the stuffer tube, allowing the casing to fill with meat as you slowly turn the handle on the stuffer. Fill the casing until you reach the desired length.
Step 4: Tie and Cook the Sausage
Once you’ve filled the casing, tie a knot at the end to seal the musetto. Twist the sausage into smaller link sizes, about 4 inches long, and tie a knot at each division. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Carefully place the musetto sausages into the simmering water and cook for about 1 hour.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
After cooking, remove the musetto from the pot and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Cut the sausages into bite-sized pieces and serve them with your favorite side dishes. Musetto pairs perfectly with creamy polenta or a warm crusty bread. Enjoy!
Cooking musetto is a rewarding experience that allows you to delve into the rich culinary traditions of Italy. With just a few simple steps, you can prepare a mouthwatering sausage that will impress your taste buds and guests. Give it a try and elevate your cooking skills to a new level!