Costa Rican-style Sausage (Verivorst a la Costarricense)

Ingredients

In this Costa Rican adaptation of Verivorst, the traditional Estonian sausage is infused with Costa Rican spices like cumin, paprika, and cilantro. The sausage is also grilled instead of baked or fried, giving it a smoky and charred flavor. It is served with a tangy chimichurri sauce, which adds a refreshing twist to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Verivorst, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 1 cup (200g) cooked rice 1 cup (200g) cooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• Chimichurri sauce, for serving Chimichurri sauce, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 1g
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and fresh cilantro. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into sausage-shaped patties, about 10cm (4 inches) long and 2.5cm (1 inch) thick.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Place the sausage patties on the grill and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and have a charred exterior.
5. 5.
   Remove the sausages from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
6. 6.
   Serve the Costa Rican-style sausages with a side of chimichurri sauce for dipping.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground pork — Ensure that the ground pork is fresh and of high quality to enhance the flavor of the sausages.
• Cooked rice — Use cooled cooked rice to bind the sausage mixture together effectively.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sausage mixture.
• Serve the sausages on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves for a refreshing twist.
• If you don't have a grill, you can also cook the sausages on a stovetop grill pan or in the oven.

Serving advice

Serve the Costa Rican-style sausages hot off the grill with a generous drizzle of chimichurri sauce. Accompany them with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled sausages on a platter, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. Place a small bowl of chimichurri sauce in the center for dipping. Serve with colorful side dishes to create an appealing and vibrant presentation.