Blaue Zipfel (Franconian Sausages in Spiced Vinegar Broth)
In short: Franconian bratwurst gently poached in a spiced vinegar and onion broth, served in the broth with rye bread and horseradish. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 555 kcal
Blaue Zipfel are Franconian sausages poached in a broth of vinegar, onion rings and whole spices. The name is said to come from the bluish tint the vinegar gives the casings. The sausages are served in deep plates with the onions and a little broth, with rye bread and, if you like, fresh horseradish. It is a simple pub dish, cheap to make and ready in under an hour. Once the sausages are in, the broth must never boil.
Instructions
- Put the water, vinegar, onions, carrot, bay, peppercorns, allspice, cloves, juniper, sugar and salt in a wide pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes until the onions soften.
- Lower the heat until the liquid barely moves, with no bubbles breaking the surface. This is about 80°C (175°F).
- Lay the sausages in the broth so they are covered. Poach gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until firm and cooked through to 71°C (160°F).
- Take the pot off the heat and let the sausages rest in the broth for 5 minutes.
- Serve the sausages in deep plates with the onions, carrots and a ladle of broth, with rye bread and horseradish on the side.
Tips
- Never let the broth boil. A hard boil splits the casings and the sausages lose their juices into the broth.
- The sausages taste better if they sit in the broth overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently and keep them for up to 3 days.
Questions and answers
Why are they called Blaue Zipfel?
Zipfel is the dialect word for a sausage, and blue refers to the bluish tint the vinegar gives the skins as they cook.
Can I make Blaue Zipfel ahead?
Yes. They keep for up to 3 days in their broth in the fridge, and the flavor improves. Reheat gently without boiling.
What do you eat with Blaue Zipfel?
Dark rye bread or a pretzel, and often freshly grated horseradish or pickles. Beer is the usual drink.
How long does it take to make Blaue Zipfel (Franconian Sausages in Spiced Vinegar Broth)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Blaue Zipfel (Franconian Sausages in Spiced Vinegar Broth)?
About 555 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 34 g of carbohydrates and 37 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 555 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Fat | 37 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
