My Grandfather recently passed on and Grandma said that Grandpa Harry wanted me to have his old sausage grinder, but more importantly his secret sausage recipe. His sausage has won numerous awards at the local county fairs as well as first place three years running at the Duncan County Pork & Poultry Cook-Off.

My problem is, when I looked at the recipe, I was somewhat shocked and dismayed to see that the secret ingrediant that, according to Grandpa, "really makes the difference" is the boar's testicles. Now I know that the pig is dead and all and won't have any need for them anymore, but I don't know if I can bring myself to cutting them off and putting them through the grinder. It just makes mine shrivel up thinking about it. I also don't think I would be able to eat it anymore either. I wonder if Jimmy Dean puts any of these organs in his breakfast links?

-- Abe Wussman (awussman@hotmail.com), November 16, 2001

Answers

Nope, they use animal assho**s. If I were you, it is probably best to stay away from all sausage plants.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), November 16, 2001.

bet it gives a "gamey" flavor for sure. And, you 've been eating it for years,, so why not,, if it wins awards,, keep going

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 16, 2001.

Does Jimmy Dean sing soprano?

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), November 16, 2001.

I'm curious, how secret is this recipe? Could you share it? I understand if you are not willing to share, it being a family secret, and award winner!

-- Marv (mcheim@lewiston.com), November 16, 2001.

Livestock testicles have been food for mankind probably since they slaughtered their first one. Imagine testicles from a mastadon! Unmentionable Cuisine by Calvin W. Schwabe has recipes for beef, chicken, lamb, pork, poultry, sheep and turkey testicles. After all, Jimmy Dean does say it is 'whole' hog sausage. Old timers also use to say they used 'everything but the squeal, so they went into something.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 16, 2001.

Guess you people never heard of mountain oisters. We have a bar around here that that is their Friday nite special. They have a crowd every Friday evening.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), November 16, 2001.

Must be a "man thing"! And Mel, you must live in Colorado. They seem to be a staple in small towns here! I've eaten them, breaded and fried, and they actually aren't that bad. Just don't think about it. And don't eat a lot of them, either, I understand they are high in cholesterol! Jan in Co

-- Jan in Co (janice12@aol.com), November 16, 2001.

You don't work on a sheep station (NZ term; = sheep ranch in US) without getting them by the bucketful. Cattle, too. Still, the idea of popping them into the meat grinder gives me the same reaction Abe writes of...

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), November 16, 2001.

Are you guys really serious about this sausage thing! I don't think i am ever going to eat sausage again!! My grandad told me what was in potted meat, hearts and stuff like that and i won't eat it anymore. and i use to like to eat it on crackers. good stuff to take with you while fishing but now i can't because i think about hearts being in it and it makes me want to puke. Ewww Gross!

-- Teejae Bird (zachdawg@webtv.net), November 16, 2001.

Hearts are good eating. Boiled or roasted with bacon they make great sandwich meat. By the way, I fully expect they are used in regular "lunchmeat" you buy at the grocery store, after all they are "all beef".

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), November 17, 2001.

Oh great!! now i'm not going to eat lunch meats.

-- Teejae in Va. (zachdawg@webtv.net), November 17, 2001.

Poor Teejae, you've have a rough time on the forum haven't you!

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), November 19, 2001.

LOL!! For a time I thought that Teejae in VA was one of the trolls, but not anymore! His reaction to this thread proves he is a normal 14-year-old kid! If he only knew what was in some foods...

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), November 19, 2001.