Authentic Italian Sausage?

So - i recently learned, without much detail, that true italian sausage is not nearly the same as the "italian sausage" that we have in America.

Basically, the only info i could get out of a really brief search is that it has no fennel (weird to someone who thought that fennel was the kicker ingredient in ital sausage) and it is "much better" than our American version (which would obviously be up for debate, naturally).

- so basically, i got little information.

who has any other details? I make sausage regularly and would love to get my hands on a recipe for the true authentic italian sausage but have not come across it.

anyone want to steer me in the right direction?

thanks,
dave

I don't have a recipe to share but can tell you a place to go for True Italian Sausage.. They have both with and with out fennel or seeds. Try Nottoli on Belmont just past Harlem. The Notttoli on Harlem is not the same sausage ( same family not the same recipe)
Ok I'll think about the recipe

One more thing to the Italian Sausage did you ever have "Barese sausage"? I have only found a few joint that make it and good. That would be "Belair" kinda at the corner or Harlem and Belmot . By far the best is "Bari Foods"

try googling: salsiccia fresca
and google images too

I had sausage in Naples, Italy and it was more hand-chopped than machine ground and tightly packed.

I know some Italian immigrants from Nola, Italy and they also do not use fennel seed.

here is a classic combo, Sausage and broccoli rabe (rapini):

photos from italy website, it's not that different, but the taste is somewhat more mild than in the USA:

With all due respect, there really isn't anything known as "true" Italian sausage.

Like all cooking in Italy, regional variations abound. The sausages in Sicily are different from those in Bari which are different from those in Naples and Rome, etc.

Some of the better Italian markets have a variety of sausages, not just the mild and hot Chicago variations.

choppcs wrote:With all due respect, there really isn't anything known as "true" Italian sausage.

for sure - i figured as much.

I just havent been able to find a great recipe that a.) is considered truly authentic (even if it's regional) and B.) doesn't have fennel.