Hot Italian Sausage Sandwiches with Giardiniera

Besides the Hot Italian Sausages with Peppers and Onions that I always make, or the Italian Style sandwich topped with Marinara Sauce and mozarella or provolone cheese, there are many hot Italian sausage sandwiches on the Internet made with giardiniera. Giardiniera is a popular Italian condiment made from a mixture of pickled vegetables, typically including cauliflower, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and chili peppers. The vegetables are pickled in a vinegar-based brine, which gives them a tangy and slightly spicy flavor. There is also a mild version available.

The most basic sandwich is to top the sausage with a grainy mustard and either hot or mild giardiniera. There are others that prefer some type of aioli, lemon or garlic is what I found primarily. One interesting, over-the-top combination is a grilled Italian sausage link topped with spicy giardiniera, pickled sweet cherry peppers, sautéed yellow onions, and green bell peppers. Another traditional Italian condiment I could see being used with the giardiniera is roasted red peppers, although sweet cherry peppers sounds interesting.

Here is a recipe from Tyler Florence for a version that uses an apple mustard.

Grilled Italian Sausage with Apple Mustard and Giardiniera
From American Grill: 125 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire, by Tyler Florence, https://www.foodandwine.com/

Bring a homemade sweet apple mustard and tangy giardiniera to the table, and grilled Italian sausage is suddenly so much more.

For grilled sausages with a lightly charred exterior and juicy bite, chef and cookbook author Tyler Florence first sears the links on the hot side of the grill, then finishes them over indirect heat. The sausages are then topped with sweet apple mustard and giardiniera, a bright mix of pickled vegetables. The result is a dish that’s spicy, tangy, and sweet, and sure to be a hit at your next cookout. The fruity mustard includes apples softened in a foil packet on the grill before being blended into a smooth apple mustard (which is also great served with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, or tossed with roasted brussels sprouts).

Apple Mustard
1 Fuji apple, cored and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 teaspoons stone-ground mustard, divided

Sausage Sandwiches
8 (4-ounce) hot or sweet Italian pork sausage links
8 top-split hot dog buns
Store-bought giardiniera (mixed pickled vegetables)

Make the apple mustard
Preheat a gas grill to medium (350°F to 400°F) on one side, or push hot coals to one side of a charcoal grill. Stir together apple, onion, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer mixture to a large sheet of aluminum foil; fold foil over apple mixture, and seal edges to create a packet. Place foil packet on grates over unlit side of grill. Grill, covered, until apples are very soft, about 30 minutes.

Transfer apple mixture to a blender, and add 2 teaspoons mustard. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening; process until mixture is completely smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a small bowl, and stir in remaining 2 teaspoons mustard. Cover, and chill until ready to serve.

Make the sausage
Increase heat or add additional charcoal to lit side of grill to bring to medium-high (400°F to 450°F). Poke a few holes in each sausage using the tip of a paring knife. Place sausages on grill grates over lit side of grill. Cook, uncovered, turning occasionally, until slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer sausages to unlit side of grill; cook, covered, until a thermometer inserted into center of sausages registers 160°F, 9 to 12 minutes.

To assemble sandwiches, place 1 sausage in each hot dog bun. Top with apple mustard and giardiniera; serve hot. (Reserve any remaining apple mustard for another use.)

Servings: 8