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Mexican Longaniza

A flavorful and aromatic Mexican sausage that you can customize with your favorite spices and enjoy in various dishes.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 16 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

Meat and Seasoning
  • 5 pounds fatty pork shoulder Use a fatty cut for moisture.
  • 34 grams sea salt or kosher salt Approximately 2 tablespoons.
  • 2 heads garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 tablespoons achiote paste
  • 1/2 cup Seville orange juice Freshly squeezed is best.
  • 1 teaspoon C-Bind carrot fiber Optional, for better binding.
Casings
  • 1 set Sheep casings Soaked and cleaned before use.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the pork shoulder into chunks suitable for your grinder. In a bowl, mix the meat with salt, garlic, pepper, and cumin. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
  2. Soak the sheep casings in warm water for about 30 minutes, then optionally flush them with water to clean.
Grinding and Mixing
  1. Grind the meat mixture through a medium die. Chill the mixture until it reaches about 33°F.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the achiote paste with the Seville orange juice. Combine this mixture with the meat and mix well until the sausage is cohesive.
Stuffing and Drying
  1. Stuff the sausage into the casings, leaving enough space at the ends for tying off.
  2. Tie off the ends of the sausage and hang it to dry at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Ideally, store it in a cooler environment between 33-39°F for 24 hours or up to 3 days.
  3. Optional: For extra flavor, smoke the longaniza after it has hung for a day. Cook it at a temperature under 200°F until the inside reaches 150°F.

Notes

Ensure that your tools and workspace are clean to avoid contamination. Experiment with different spices for your preferred flavor. Use fresh Seville oranges for the most authentic juice.