topping-meat
Fennel sausage
Italian-American crumbled pork sausage with fennel seed.
- Origin
- Italian-American
About
Crumbled raw fennel sausage is the Chicago and NY canon — a coarsely ground pork sausage seasoned with fennel seed, garlic, salt, and red pepper. Tear it into rough chunks (don't pre-cook) and place under or alongside the cheese; it renders fat into the bake. Use a butcher's bulk Italian sausage, sweet or hot; avoid pre-formed crumbles which are over-fine. For deep-dish, fennel sausage in a thick layer over the cheese is the classic.
Substitutes
- Cup-and-char pepperoni — different flavor; cup-and-char