Fitting in perfectly with our series on eating locally and in season, a sausage making workshop led by Vincenzo Velletri of Slow Food Swan Valley Convivium was held at the Locavore Store on Sunday 2 July.
14 participants squeezed into the kitchen armed with sharp knives and large chopping boards to turn a slab of pig and a hunk of beef into yards of delicious traditional Italian sausages, ready to be hung, cured and enjoyed for months to come.
“Passing on these recipes and teaching them to the next generation is so important,” says Vincenzo. “If we lose this knowledge, it is gone forever.”
Using Kusha Hill Pork from Dalwallinu and Speckle Park beef from Gingin sourced via Northern Valleys Quality Meats in Bindoon, Vincenzo shared the skills and knowledge from his Italian heritage, and demonstrated how to make the traditional pork sausage from Fondi in the Lazio Region and the traditional beef sausage from Bra in his home region of Piedmont.
Beck Foulkes-Taylor, who joined the workshop with husband Jason (pictured above) said she learned a lot about cuts of meat and how to prepare them.
“It was interesting to know how to cut the meat portions and the ratios of fat vs meat – and also how to use the amazing herbs! The way Vince crushed and added them brought what I thought was such a simple sausage to have some of the most incredible flavours!” she said.
“Jason found it exciting and easy to follow and of course delicious – he’s now researching a filler machine and YouTube videos to further enhance the workshop and knowledge Vince provided!”
Our next workshop is an Arancini Masterclass with Concetta Sultan, co-author of Cugini in Cucina Cookbook, on September 17. Learn to make classic Sicilian arancini like an expert, as Concetta guides you through the traditional process and techniques passed down from her mother.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro in the kitchen you’ll go home knowing how to easily make Sicilian arancini that will be a big hit at your next dinner party. At the end of the class we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labour — a great fun afternoon to spend with friends! All ingredients provided – click here to book!
